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World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2026; 18(7): 122823
Published online Jul 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.122823
Published online Jul 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.122823
Stem cell-based strategies for hearing restoration: Current advances and future perspectives
Yan-Ji Qu, Wei Yao, Zhong-Fang Xia, Department of Otolaryngology, Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Jia-Yu Wang, Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Zhe Wang, Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Co-first authors: Yan-Ji Qu and Jia-Yu Wang.
Co-corresponding authors: Wei Yao and Zhong-Fang Xia.
Author contributions: Qu YJ and Wang JY conceptualized and designed the study, they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-first authors; Qu YJ wrote the manuscript; Wang Z collected the data; Yao W and Xia ZF revised and approved the manuscript, they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-corresponding authors; and all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The authors take full responsibility and accountability for all content of this manuscript, including the parts where AI tools were used as an auxiliary technology for grammar and readability improvements. All AI-assisted outputs were carefully reviewed, validated, and approved by the authors. AI tools were not used to generate original scientific data, perform independent scientific analyses, or draw scientific conclusions.
Supported by the Funding for Scientific Research Projects from Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, No. WX23Q01; and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China, No. 2023AFB328 and No. 2025AFB091.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Zhong-Fang Xia, PhD, Chief, Department of Otolaryngology, Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China. zhfxia2005@163.com
Received: May 7, 2026
Revised: June 4, 2026
Accepted: June 30, 2026
Published online: July 26, 2026
Processing time: 85 Days and 0.2 Hours
Revised: June 4, 2026
Accepted: June 30, 2026
Published online: July 26, 2026
Processing time: 85 Days and 0.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Sensorineural hearing loss remains difficult to reverse as current treatments mainly compensate for dysfunction rather than restore damaged cochlear cells. This review highlights recent progress in stem cell-based hearing restoration, focusing on stem cell sources, auditory cell fate regulation, delivery optimization, immune microenvironment modulation, and cochlear organoids. It further emphasizes the emerging value of organoid platforms and cell-free strategies in advancing translational and regenerative therapies for hearing loss.