Research team awarded five-year, $3.2 million grant from National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
With a new five-year, $3.2 million grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Mass Eye and Ear will study what causes acquired hearing loss (AHL) and seek new ways to protect against it.
AHL is among the most common health conditions affecting older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although hearing aids can help, AHL has no known cure and, in many cases, scientists are still unsure of its exact cause.
AHL significantly impacts quality of life, leading to increased social isolation, depression and cognitive decline. Untreated hearing loss is associated with a higher risk of dementia, with even mild untreated hearing loss doubling the risk.“We anticipate that if we are successful, this could point to new strategies to preserve human hearing by regulating mitochondrial calcium levels,” said Ruben Stepanyan, assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Understanding hearing loss
An important factor in hearing is the health of cochlear hair cells—sensory cells in the inner ear that detect sound vibrations and send electric signals to the brain. These cells are packed with mitochondria, or microscopic energy-producing components.
Hearing loss may result from damage caused by malfunctioning mitochondria, according to previous peer-reviewed research. Hair-cell health depends on balanced calcium levels regulated, in part, by mitochondria. Loud noises can cause calcium levels to rise too high, stressing the cochlear hair cells.