Histopathological Change of Age-Related Hearing Loss in Female Advanced-Aged CBA/CaJ Mice

This study on age-related hearing loss in advanced-aged female CBA/CaJ mice reveals significant cochlear pathology, including outer hair cell loss, synapse loss, and oxidative stress. Using 11 aged and 12 young mice, researchers found that outer hair cell loss was most pronounced at 11.3 kHz, while synapse loss occurred at 5.6 kHz. Additional findings include atrophy in the stria vascularis, endolymphatic hydrops, and spiral ganglion cell reduction. Increased oxidative stress markers suggest that hearing loss is linked to chronic sound exposure and metabolic changes due to mitochondrial dysfunction. The study emphasizes the need for interventions targeting these etiologies to prevent and treat age-related hearing loss.