In a groundbreaking interview, renowned experts Dr. Karl and Prof. Atlas come together to discuss ClearDrum, a revolutionary solution for treating chronic middle ear disease and preventing hearing loss. With an estimated 330 million people globally suffering from this debilitating condition, including 164 million who face significant hearing loss due to perforations in the eardrum, ClearDrum’s potential to change the course of treatment is nothing short of transformative. The duo discuss how ClearDrum’s silk-based, biocompatible material is setting new standards in medical science, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide.
Chronic middle ear disease, a condition that often leads to perforations in the eardrum, is responsible for significant hearing loss and, tragically, around 28,000 deaths annually due to related complications. The condition is widespread, with 3-4% of populations in the US and Europe affected, and alarmingly, a staggering 15% of Indigenous children in Australia suffering from the condition. Yet, despite the widespread nature of the disease, the surgical treatments currently available have significant drawbacks.
The main treatment for eardrum perforations is tympanoplasty, a surgery that uses graft material, typically from the patient’s own body (such as cartilage from the ear or fascia tissue), to patch the hole in the eardrum. While this procedure has been a standard for decades, it has limitations. Many surgeries fail, requiring repeat procedures, and even successful surgeries often result in only partial restoration of hearing due to the mechanical and acoustic limitations of the graft material.
Enter ClearDrum—a breakthrough silk-based graft material that promises to address the key limitations of existing treatments. Designed specifically to replicate the function of the eardrum, ClearDrum’s acoustically optimized surface transmits sound more efficiently, preserving residual hearing and maximizing the patient’s quality of life. Unlike traditional grafts, ClearDrum’s biocompatibility ensures it integrates with the body seamlessly, encouraging faster regrowth of the natural eardrum.
Prof Atlas explains, “ClearDrum’s unique properties—its strength, transparency, and acoustic optimisation—are truly game-changing. This graft material doesn’t just support the eardrum; it actively contributes to the healing process, enabling a faster recovery and reducing the likelihood of repeat surgeries.”
Prof. Atlas adds, “One of the most exciting aspects of ClearDrum is its transparency, which allows surgeons to monitor the ear post-surgery for any recurrence of the underlying disease. The graft’s design also simplifies the surgery itself, eliminating the need to harvest graft material from the patient and shortening the overall procedure.”
The implications of ClearDrum’s development extend beyond just medical innovation. Patients who receive this advanced graft material can expect a better overall outcome, including superior residual hearing, faster recovery, and a reduced chance of complications that would require additional surgeries. By offering a simpler, more effective solution, ClearDrum could significantly improve clinical outcomes for patients worldwide.
“Ultimately, ClearDrum represents a brighter future for those affected by chronic middle ear disease,” says Prof Atlas. “With its biocompatibility, durability, and acoustic properties, it’s poised to not only change the way we treat middle ear disease but also improve the lives of millions suffering from hearing loss.”
As ClearDrum progresses through clinical trials and begins to gain broader adoption, its potential to revolutionize the treatment of chronic middle ear disease is becoming increasingly apparent. Developed and supported by groundbreaking research at Ear Science Institute Australia, this innovation is not just a medical breakthrough—it represents a new era of hope for those whose lives have been affected by this debilitating condition.
We are excited to be in preparation for the clinical study. There are several steps we must go through, including obtaining approval for our study design and approval to start recruiting participants. As such, we will announce when we are recruiting – currently, we hope to start in mid-2025. Please keep an eye out for updates on our website.
If you want to know more about this groundbreaking innovation led by Dr Filippo Valente and Professor Marcus Atlas contact ClearDrum CEO Philip Canner on info@cleardrum.com.au
