An unheard benefit of phosphodiesterase inhibition

Noise-induced hearing loss is caused primarily by damage to auditory hair cells; however, humans are unable to regenerate damaged hair cells, necessitating the development of new therapeutic strategies to protect auditory hair cells. A new study suggests that the use of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors may provide a protective therapeutic route for hearing loss (pages 252–259 ).