Representatives from one of the nation’s leading ear institutes recently spoke to the Kingfisher Lions about advancements at their facility.

Philanthropy Coordinator Ashley Everett and Director of Development Pam Timmons were speaking last Thursday on behalf of the Hough Ear Institute, a nonprofit medical research facility.

HEI’s vision is “all who have ears will hear” and through numerous clinical trials and studies, its researchers are working to do just that.

Everett and Timmons educated the Lions about current research, which involves a treatment pill for tinnitus, a constant ringing, or other noises, in one or both ears.

This severe problem has caused many to contemplate and even commit suicide, they said.

HEI’s pill, NHPN-1010, has passed pre-clinical development and now needs the support of a large pharmaceutical to sub-license the therapeutic and for the rest of clinical development.

This would include Phase II and Phase III to secure FDA approval at a cost of nearly $500 million.

Yet, Everett and Timmons were excited and hopeful that this pill would soon find a pharmaceutical partner to begin the long process.

After seeing the results in a patient, Max, who gained compassionate use approval from the FDA, they believe this treatment pill could provide relief to the countless calls they receive daily about tinnitus. A brief video of Max’s testimonial was shown to the club.

As well, HEI currently offers many other approved treatment options to combat hearing loss.

An injection, named AOK-1, is a treatment that restores hearing through regenerating damaged or lost cochlear hair cells. This has been shown to recover natural hearing function they said.

HEI recently received the 2022 Oklahoma Innovator of the Year award and a $1.9 million Department of Defense grant, but will continue to research and advance the medical field for hearing loss prevention and tinnitus.

Timmons announced that HEI will be joining with the Oklahoma Lions Club to be the hearing side of the service organization, much like the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank serves the vision side.

The two were introduced by Lions Club Vice President Jarod Hendrix.