The antiviral medication Tamiflu appears to have eased noise-induced hearing loss in mice. While research in people is required, this could open the door to a treatment for a common type of deafness.
Noise-related hearing loss affects approximately 5 per cent of people worldwide. Prevention focuses on just avoiding loud sounds where possible, with treatments being limited to hearing aids and implants.
Only one drug, called sodium thiosulfate, has ever…