Interfacing Perforated Eardrums with Graphene‐Based Membranes for Broadband Hearing Recovery. Issue 20 (15th August 2022) - Li, Chunyan
Abstract: Eardrum perforation and associated hearing loss is a global health problem. Grafting perforated eardrum with autologous tissues in clinic can restore low‐frequency hearing but often leaves poor recovery of high‐frequency hearing. In this study, the potential of incorporating a thin multilayered graphene membrane (MGM) into the eardrum for broadband hearing recovery in rats is examined. The MGM shows good biocompatibility and biostability to promote the growth of eardrum cells in a regulated manner with little sign of tissue rejection and inflammatory response. After three weeks of implantation, the MGM is found to be encapsulated by a thin layer of newly grown tissue on both sides without a significant folded overgrowth that is often seen in natural healing. The perforation is well sealed, and broadband hearing recovery (1–32 kHz) is enabled and maintained for at least 2 months. Mechanical simulations show that the high elastic modulus of MGM and thin thickness of the reconstructed eardrum play a critical role in the recovery of high‐frequency hearing. This work demonstrates the promise of the use of MGM as a functional graft for perforated eardrum to recover hearing in the broadband frequency region and suggests a new acoustics‐related medical application for graphene‐related 2D materials. Abstract : Multilayered reduced graphene oxide membranes, offering a combination of exceptional mechanical strength, stiffness, light weight, and biocompatibility, are demonstrated to be a unique patching material to enable the closure of the perforated eardrum of rats and complete hearing restoration at both low and high frequencies.