Sun Shichu, Zhao Qi, He Haojia, Liu Yujia, Nie Yuchong, Zhou You
Laboratory of Sensory Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
Key Laboratory of Aging and Health in Hebei, Baoding, China.
Front Aging Neurosci. 2025 Aug 20;17:1657603. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2025.1657603. eCollection 2025.
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), or presbycusis, is characterized by a progressive decline in binaural auditory sensitivity, particularly affecting high-frequency hearing and sound localization. The pathogenesis of ARHL is still unclear, correspondingly reflected in a lack of clinically effective intervention strategies. Recent advancements in audiology and neurobiology have illuminated the black box of the pathogenesis of ARHL. The intricate mechanisms underlying ARHL involve inflammation, oxidative stress, excessive autophagy, cellular signaling dysregulation, and metabolic alterations, which cause substantial damage to cellular function within cochlea. The weakened sound conduction and reduced auditory information processing potentially lead to emotional distress and heightened susceptibility to neurodegenerative conditions like cognitive decline and dementia. Promising interventions targeting these mechanisms are actively being investigated, ranging from pharmacological approaches to genetic therapies and lifestyle interventions. This narrative review summarizes recent research progress in understanding ARHL pathogenesis and discusses emerging strategies for prevention and treatment, highlighting the imperative for targeted interventions to enhance auditory health and overall well-being in aging populations.
年龄相关性听力损失（ARHL），即老年性聋，其特征是双耳听觉敏感度逐渐下降，尤其影响高频听力和声音定位。ARHL的发病机制仍不清楚，相应地表现为缺乏临床有效的干预策略。听力学和神经生物学的最新进展揭示了ARHL发病机制的奥秘。ARHL背后复杂的机制涉及炎症、氧化应激、过度自噬、细胞信号失调和代谢改变，这些都会对耳蜗内的细胞功能造成实质性损害。声音传导减弱和听觉信息处理减少可能会导致情绪困扰，并增加患认知衰退和痴呆等神经退行性疾病的易感性。针对这些机制的有前景的干预措施正在积极研究中，从药物治疗到基因治疗和生活方式干预。这篇叙述性综述总结了在理解ARHL发病机制方面的最新研究进展，并讨论了新兴的预防和治疗策略，强调了针对性干预对于改善老年人群听觉健康和整体幸福感的紧迫性。
