Age-Related Hearing Loss: Recent Findings and Emerging Questions

Abstract

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) or presbycusis is the most prevalent sensory deficit in the elderly. This progressive hearing impairment leads to social isolation. Currently, our understanding of ARHL is very limited. In this review, we have chosen to focus on recent work that has improved our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that may cause age-related loss of sensory and neural cells in the cochlea. Our goal here is to give an overview of recent progress towards understanding these phenomena. In addition, we discuss future prospects for advances in our understanding of genetic susceptibility, pathology, and potential therapeutic approaches in ARHL.