Inflammaging: A Contributor to Age-Related Hearing Loss
Inflammaging is the chronic, low-grade inflammatory state that occurs in the body’s tissues with age, leading to various systemic diseases, including age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Immune cells undergo senescence during aging, resulting in increased systemic levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. Emerging research suggests a role for gut microbiota and dietary factors in inflammaging, while exercise is thought to delay the progression of ARHL by dampening inflammation. This review discusses the involvement of the innate and adaptive immune systems in ARHL and highlights potential therapeutic avenues to target its underlying pathology. Understanding immunosenescence in ARHL may lead to preventative medicines and molecular treatments for this prevalent and debilitating condition.
