3D Printing and Biomaterials for Hearing and Balance Restoration
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 26
Special Issue Editor
Interests: medical device in hearing and balancing; mechanics in aging or disorder ear; computational modeling of ear; testing and 3D printing medical material
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Hearing and balance disorders affect hundreds of millions worldwide, leading to communication challenges, increased fall risk, and reduced quality of life. Advances in biomaterials and additive manufacturing (3D printing) offer promising opportunities to restore auditory and vestibular function. To fully realize these advances, a molecular-level understanding of material–tissue interactions is essential. This Special Issue will highlight research at the intersection of molecular science, biomaterials, bioengineering, and otology.
Topics of interest include molecularly engineered biomaterials for middle and inner ear reconstruction; characterization of cell–material and protein–surface interactions in printed scaffolds; and design of bioactive and drug-eluting materials that modulate inflammatory, regenerative, and neural processes. Contributions on molecular mechanisms governing osseointegration, fibrosis, or immune response to implants, as well as the integration of bioelectronics and molecularly guided drug delivery into 3D-printed devices, are highly encouraged.
Equally important are experimental and computational approaches linking molecular properties of materials to macroscopic device performance. Submissions exploring translational pathways—ranging from molecular characterization and in vitro assays to preclinical and clinical applications—will provide critical insights into how molecular design drives therapeutic success.
By bringing together multidisciplinary contributions, this Issue aims to accelerate innovation in precision-engineered solutions for tympanic membrane repair, ossicular chain reconstruction, cochlear and vestibular prostheses, and related therapies. Collectively, the articles will define a molecular framework for advancing the next generation of personalized, durable, and functionally effective interventions for hearing and balance restoration.
We warmly invite researchers in molecular sciences, biomaterials, and auditory/vestibular research to contribute original articles and reviews to this Special Issue.
Dr. Chenkai Dai
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- hearing
- balancing
- 3D printing
- biomaterial
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