Objective:To explore various factors influencing speech recognition ability in patients with age-related hearing loss（ARHL） and to investigate the correlation between speech recognition ability and cognitive function. Methods:This case-control study enrolled 150 ARHL patients（experimental group） and 132 normal-hearing controls. Participants underwent relevant assessments of auditory function, cognitive function, and tinnitus severity. Various statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the results. Results:①The PBmax and MoCA scores were significantly lower in the ARHL group compared to the control group（P<0.05）. ②PBmax in the ARHL group was significantly influenced by multiple factors（P<0.05）. ③Negative correlations were observed between PBmax in the ARHL group and age, degree of hearing loss, duration of the disease, duration of the worst hearing loss, smoking status, and tinnitus severity（P<0.05）, while positive correlations were found between PBmax and education level, occupation type, frequency of verbal communication, and cognitive function level（P<0.05）. ④Higher education level, frequent verbal communication, and high cognitive function level were protective factors for PBmax in ARHL patients（P<0.05）, whereas the other factors were independent risk factors（P<0.05）. ⑤A significant correlation was found between PBmax and MoCA scores in the ARHL group, and this correlation between cognitive function and speech recognition ability remained significant across different degrees of hearing loss（<0.05）. Conclusion:Speech recognition ability in ARHL patients is influenced by multiple factors. Cognitive function demonstrates a robust, bidirectional association with speech recognition ability, even after adjusting for hearing loss severity.
Humans ; Case-Control Studies ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Speech Perception ; Cognition ; Presbycusis/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss (AHL) is one of the most common sensory disorders among elderly persons. The inwardly rectifying potassium channel 5.1 (Kir5.1) plays a vital role in regulating cochlear K(+) circulation which is necessary for normal hearing. The distribution of Kir5.1 in C57BL/6J mice cochleae, and the relationship between the expression of Kir5.1 and the etiology of AHL were investigated. Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups at 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks of age respectively. The location of Kir5.1 was detected by immunofluorescence technique. The mRNA and protein expression of Kir5.1 was evaluated in mice cochleae using real-time polymerase-chain reactions (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. Kir5.1 was detected in the type II and IV fibrocytes of the spiral ligament in the cochlear lateral wall of C57BL/6J mice. The expression levels of Kir5.1 mRNA and protein in the cochleae of aging C57BL/6J mice were down-regulated. It was suggested that the age-related decreased expression of Kir5.1 in the lateral wall of C57BL/6J mice was associated with hearing loss. Our results indicated that Kir5.1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AHL.
Aging ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cations, Monovalent ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Ion Transport ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microtomy ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; genetics ; metabolism ; Presbycusis ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spiral Ligament of Cochlea ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between pure-tone average (PTA), the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the auditory pathway, cognitive cortex and auditory cortex in presbycusis. METHOD: Twenty-five elderly subjects with presbycusis were participated in the study. PTA, speech discrimination abilities were evaluated in each subject. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was applied to access the FA of the IC, the superior frontal gyrus and the Heschl's gyrus. Compare the difference between two sides of the values of FA in the three areas. Bivariate correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of PTA and FA of the inferior colliculus (IC), the superior frontal gyrus and the Heschl's gyrus on speech discrimination abilities. RESULT: There were no significant differences between the left and right side of the inferior colliculus (P > 0.05). Higher FA values were recorded at the left side of the Heschl's gyrus and the superior frontal gyrus (P < 0.05). Both PTA and the FA of the superior frontal gyrus have a negative association with speech discrimination abilities (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while the FA of the Heschl's gyrus has a positive association with speech discrimination abilities (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that the speech discrimination abilities of the elderly is not only related to the peripheral auditory function, but also to the central auditory and cognitive function.
Aged ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Auditory Cortex ; physiopathology ; Auditory Pathways ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Humans ; Inferior Colliculi ; physiopathology ; Presbycusis ; diagnosis ; Speech Perception

OBJECTIVETo determine weather or not the mtDNA(4568) deletions in guinea-pig contribute to the development of presbycusis.

METHODSForty-four guinea-pigs were divided into 2 groups: group A (young control group, normal hearing, 22 guineas) and group B (aged group). The group B was subdivided into group B(1) (old normal hearing, 6 guineas) and group B(2) (old hearing loss, 16 guineas). First the guineas were tested by auditory brainstem response (ABR), and then the Cortis's tissues, auditory nerve tissues, brain and blood were harvested and the total DNA was extracted. The mtDNA(4568) deletion was analyzed by PCR.

RESULTSHearing loss was occurred with age. The mtDNA(4568) deletion incidence of aged group in all tissues was significant higher than that of young control group (P< 0.05). The incidence of mtDNA deletion in Cortis's and auditory nerve with presbycusis (B(2) group) were significant higher than that of aged normal hearing group (B(1) group) (P< 0.05). The incidence of mtDNA deletion in brain and blood was not significantly different between presbycusis and aged normal hearing group (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONmtDNA(4568) deletion of guinea-pig possibly contributes to aging and mtDNA(4568) deletion in Cortis's and auditory nerve tissues of guinea-pig may be associated with presbycusis. There is no enough evidence to prove that the mtDNA(4568) deletions in brain and blood are related with presbycusis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cochlear Nerve ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Guinea Pigs ; Organ of Corti ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Presbycusis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Sequence Deletion

The relationship between the hypertension and the aging process of hearing organ was investigated. Twenty Wistar 3-month old rats and 20 Wistar 12-month old rats, 20 spontaneously hypertensive rat stroke-prone (SHRSP) 3-month old rats and 20 SHRSP 12-month old rats free of middle ear infections as observed under otomicroscopy, with normal tympanic membrane and auricle reflex, were selected to be divided into two experimental groups and two control groups respectively. The tail artery blood pressure was measured non-invasively. The threshold of auditory brain-stem response (ABR) was measured by Spirit evoked potential meter. The LDH and ChE staining in the inner ear was performed and the optical density was analyzed by the HPIAS analysis system. The results showed that there was no difference in the ABR thresholds, the activities of LDH and ChE between Wistar 3-month old group and SHRSP 3-month old group (P > 0.05). The mean value of ABR threshold and the activities of LDH and ChE in the Wistar 12-month old group at relevant sections were significantly greater than those in the two 3-month old groups (P < 0.05), whereas the mean value of ABR threshold and the activities of LDH and ChE in the SHRSP 12-month old group at relevant sections were significantly higher than those in the 3-month old control group (P < 0.01). It was concluded that presbycusis existed in the Wistar 12-month old group rats. The glycogenosis and the abnormal secretion of neural transmitter were discerned after hypertension. All the above factors may worsen the aging of the hearing system.
Aging ; Animals ; Cholinesterases ; metabolism ; Cochlea ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Hypertension ; complications ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Presbycusis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Wistar