A newly published meta-analysis found 10 new genetic variants that cause age-related hearing loss The results suggest that the part of the ear called "stria vascularis" may play a role in hearing impairment. Age related hearing loss is quite common and most people take it for granted as a regular expected part of aging.
But many researchers believe that this is not necessarily the case. Recent studies have pointed out new ways to prevent hearing loss, and even restore hearing after hearing deterioration.
At present, a large number of studies on the treatment of age-related hearing loss have focused on the restoration of sensory ear hair cells in the inner ear. The most common hypothesis explaining hearing loss with age is the degeneration of these ear hair cells.
But this is not the only hypothesis circulating.
It is understood that there is a structure called stria vascularis in the cochlea. This structure plays an important role in our hearing, and some researchers have long suspected that age-related vascular stripe degeneration may affect hearing loss.
"Since the 1970s, it has been assumed that stria vascularis may play a role in human hearing loss, but until today, there is a lack of molecular evidence," said Christopher Cederroth, co-author of the new study
The new evidence comes from a meta-analysis of 17 studies and more than 700000 people. Researchers are looking for genes associated with hearing loss. They have found 48 important variants associated with hearing loss, of which 10 are brand new.
Most interestingly, many genes associated with hearing impairment are expressed in the cochlea connected to the stria vascularis. This provides good evidence that this structure in the ear plays a role in age-related hearing loss.
The researchers clearly emphasize that hearing loss is a deep-seated heterogeneous disease, and a large number of different factors may lead to individual elderly hearing loss. It is believed that genetic factors account for 36% to 70% of a person's age-related hearing impairment, while environmental or lifestyle factors account for the rest.
Therefore, this study does not point to a single magical universal cause of hearing loss in the elderly. On the contrary, it provides good evidence that the degradation of vascular lines plays a role, which will help researchers identify the targets of new drugs or gene therapy to prevent hearing loss in the future.
"Our findings identify 10 new genes associated with hearing loss. This study identifies genes that we can target for screening purposes, drug development, and even future gene therapy. This study provides a solid foundation for the eventual improvement of therapies for hearing loss," Frances Williams said.