Liu X Z, Yan D
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33101, USA.
J Pathol. 2007 Jan;211(2):188-97. doi: 10.1002/path.2102.
Although many adults retain good hearing as they age, hearing loss associated with ageing is common among elderly persons. There are a number of pathophysiolological processes underlying age-related changes to functional components in the inner ear. Genetic factors determine the ageing process but are under the influence of intrinsic and environmental factors. It is difficult to distinguish changes of normal ageing from those of other contributing factors. The effects of age-related deafness can have significant physical, functional and mental health consequences. Although a deficit in hearing can be corrected to some degree by a hearing aid or other appropriate amplification devices, hearing-related rehabilitative needs are much more than simply amplifying external sound. Only by better understanding the process of ageing and its effect on the auditory function can we better accommodate elderly people in our day-to-day interactions. We review here the structure and function of the inner ear, pathophysiology associated with age-related hearing loss (ARHL), heritability, allelism and modifier genes of ARHL, and evaluate the genetic analyses for identification of genetic factors that are involved.
虽然许多成年人随着年龄增长仍保持良好的听力，但与衰老相关的听力损失在老年人中很常见。内耳功能成分随年龄变化有许多病理生理过程。遗传因素决定衰老过程，但受内在和环境因素影响。很难区分正常衰老的变化与其他促成因素的变化。与年龄相关的耳聋的影响会对身体、功能和心理健康产生重大后果。虽然听力缺陷可以通过助听器或其他适当的放大装置在一定程度上得到纠正，但与听力相关的康复需求远不止简单地放大外部声音。只有更好地了解衰老过程及其对听觉功能的影响，我们才能在日常互动中更好地照顾老年人。我们在此回顾内耳的结构和功能、与年龄相关的听力损失（ARHL）相关的病理生理学、ARHL的遗传力、等位基因和修饰基因，并评估用于识别相关遗传因素的基因分析。
