Hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo result from the damage of mechanosensory hair cells (HCs) located in sensory epithelium of the cochlea and vestibular organs of the inner ear. HCs do not regenerate. Currently, hearing aids and cochlear implants are the only treatments to address hearing loss, and both options provide mild relief. The challenge in developing new therapies and screening ototoxic agents is that the cochlear and vestibular sensory epithelium are isolated deep in the inner ear. Invasive measures are required to access the sensory epithelium. KU researchers have endeavored to create both cochlear and vestibular sensory epithelium outside of the body. They are developing a model platform where the cochlear and vestibular sensory epithelium can be grown outside of the body for testing and developing new diagnostics, screening ototoxic agents, and evaluating new therapies. No such model currently exists. Thus, this technology has the potential to take a leap forward in the advancement of medicine for hearing disorders.