"I say yes to participate in research because I feel that if I have the ability to help someone, I also have the obligation.”

– Marc Saunders, Vancouver

Imagine waking up one day to find you cannot hear out of one ear. This is the frightening reality for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, also called sudden deafness, a rare condition that affects as many as 20 out of every 100,000 adults.

“The research and clinical community is still learning about this condition,” says Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) scientist Dr. Desmond Nunez. 

“We often refer to sudden deafness by its defining features because we are still unclear about its causes.”

As its name suggests, sudden deafness causes a rapid loss of hearing—usually in one ear and within 72 hours—and affects three of the tones or frequencies the human ear can hear, which often includes the tones made by the human voice. If caught early, 60-65 per cent of patients will recover part or all of their hearing. However, many patients are left with permanent hearing loss.

“This condition is very frightening for patients because they are otherwise healthy," says Nunez. "And their sudden hearing loss is also often associated with other problems like ringing in the ears and vertigo.”

Nunez and fellow researchers have launched a clinical trial in hopes of uncovering whether there might be an association between the presence of microRNAs and sudden deafness. 

MicroRNAs are small ribonucleic acids, the controllers of what DNA does in our bodies. Researchers have identified certain types of microRNAs in patients with sudden deafness, but need more evidence to prove whether or not they are behind the onset of the condition.

To accomplish this, they have enlisted the help of volunteer participants, including Marc Saunders, VCHRI’s own clinical research and community outreach coordinator. 

A decision to give back to the research community could help restore hearing

Marc is part of the control group of participants who have not experienced sudden deafness. Nunez and colleagues need the participation of volunteers who have a healthy hearing range, like Marc, for their study in order to compare their microRNAs against those of participants with sudden deafness. 

“Our initial findings already show a difference in the microRNA profile found in healthy and sudden deafness-affected participants,” says Nunez. “But, we still need to do more work to better understand these differences.”

Marc and his girlfriend Denise in their Vancouver home with their two feline friends, Earl and Ellie.

For Marc, the decision to participate was easy. He regularly reviews clinical trials for his work with VCHRI and has made a habit of participating in studies as a healthy volunteer. Over the past two years he has participated in six clinical research studies at Vancouver Coastal Health, including one that dealt with sexual health, another that examined the association between stroke and cognitive abilities and another aimed at measuring neuropathic pain.

“For the hearing clinical trial, Dr. Nunez first performed a physical exam on my ear,” recalls Marc. “I went for a blood draw at the Clinical Research Unit and then had a hearing test. In all, it only took an hour of my time and was very simple to do.” 

Marc says that he participates in research to set an example for other clinicians and staff at the hospital, as well as the public at large. “I am also fascinated by new advancements in health, science and technology, so getting to be involved in research at this level is incredibly interesting,” notes Marc. “Each new study I participate in is a fun learning experience for me.” 

“I hope that people who know that I participate in research will feel compelled to do the same.”

For Nunez, and countless other researchers, the participation of healthy individuals like Marc makes research studies possible and will contribute to the discovery of new diagnoses and treatments.

“We still need to differentiate between which patients are more likely to recover and which are at risk of permanent hearing loss,” says Nunez. “This clinical trial will hopefully help us better understand which microRNAs are involved in poor prognoses and develop targeted treatments that counter their effects before it is too late.”

The sudden sensorineural hearing loss study is still recruiting participants. To learn more, contact Printha Wijesinghe at 604.875.5341, printha.wijesinghe@ubc.ca or visit the study listing.

Marc takes a paddling break during a canoe trip in Powell River.

As for Marc, he is already looking forward to participating in an MRI brain mapping study. “I am really excited because how often does anyone get a chance to see images of their brain?”

Healthy volunteers provide researchers with important comparative information for scientific studies. Research ranges from simple questionnaires to screening tests and clinical trials of new medications and devices. 

Many studies are currently recruiting healthy volunteers. Find a study to participate at www.vchri.ca/participate/healthy-volunteers.

THIS IS ONE PATIENT’S STORY OF PARTICIPATING IN A CLINICAL TRIAL. YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY DIFFER. LEARN MORE ABOUT CLINICAL TRIALS BEFORE PARTICIPATING.

 

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