Abstract:  Age-related hearing loss (ARHL- Presbycusis) is the number one communication problem and neurodegenerative disorder of our aging population;  and comprises one of the top three chronic medical conditions, along with arthritis and cardiovascular diseases.  Much has been learned about the perceptual, neural and molecular underpinnings of ARHL.  Utilization of this new knowledge now allows for translational attempts to prevent or alter the progression of ARHL.  For example, we have growing evidence of interactions between hormones and the structure and function of the auditory system. Specifically, a review of recent studies implicating sex hormones and other natural hormones in the modulation of hearing status in ARHL reveals some interesting possibilities.  In particular, progesterone, a sex hormone, has been shown to have negative effects on the hearing of older women and aging mice; whereas, in contrast, estrogen was found in some cases to have a positive influence.  Aldosterone, used in studies of animal models of autoimmune hearing loss, slowed the progression of hearing loss. Follow- up studies in humans revealed that auditory measures varied as serum aldosterone levels shifted within the normal range, in otherwise healthy older subjects. This was true for simple as well as complex auditory tasks, i.e., sound spatial processing, suggesting benefits of aldosterone to post-peripheral auditory processing as well.  In addition, evidence suggests that this functional hearing improvement occurred in association with anatomical improvements to the specialized region of the inner ear, stria vascularis, an important site of anatomical and molecular changes in ARHL.  In conclusion,  our field is now at the point where the search for biomedical interventions to modulate or prevent ARHL can move forward.  Such interventions would require multidisciplinary collaborative initiatives by researchers in such areas as drug development, anatomy, neurobiology, auditory physiological and perceptual testing, and drug micro-delivery systems.

Dr. Frisina will be available to meet with people on Wednesday for breakfast, during the day through 3:30, and for dinner Wednesday evening. Please contact Ed Bartlett (ebartle@prudue.edu)  if you would like to meet with Dr. Frisina and specify what times you are available to meet with him.