Large Cross-Sectional Study of Presbycusis Reveals Rapid Progressive Decline in Auditory Temporal Acuity

The auditory system relies on extraordinarily precise timing cues for the accurate perception of speech, music, and object identification. Epidemiological research has documented the age-related progressive decline in hearing sensitivity that is known to be a major health concern for the elderly. Although smaller investigations indicate that auditory temporal processing also declines with age, such measures have not been included in larger studies. Temporal gap detection thresholds (TGDTs; an index of auditory temporal resolution) measured in 1071 listeners (aged 18–98 years) were shown to decline at a minimum rate of 1.05 ms (15%) per decade. Age was a significant predictor of TGDT when controlling for audibility (partial correlation) and when restricting analyses to persons with normal-hearing sensitivity (n = 434). The TGDTs were significantly better for males (3.5 ms; 51%) than females when averaged across the life span. These results highlight the need for indices of temporal processing in diagnostics, as treatment targets, and as factors in models of aging

Novel L-Ergothioneine Treatments with Antioxidant/Anti Inflammatory Effects Improve Hearing in Geriatric Male Mice in CBA/CaJ Mice

Presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss, is gradual hearing loss that occurs as people grow older. There are many causes of age-related hearing loss, but one cause includes cochlear oxidative stress. Free radicals of oxygen or reactive oxygen species accumulate in the ear as a byproduct of many biochemical pathways. The buildup of byproducts causes oxidative stress on the cochlea, resulting in damages. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the free radicals that cause oxidative stress. L-Ergothioneine is a naturally derived antioxidant and shows therapeutic potential in many health issues regarding oxidative stress, including Alzheimer’s disease, liver damage, and heart disease. A study was designed to determine if the naturally derived anti-inflammatory antioxidant L-ergothioneine can be used to prevent presbycusis. The male and female CBA/Caj mice were divided into three groups for testing: control, low-dose (35mg/kg), and high-dose (70mg/kg). Hearing tests using ABRs were performed on a monthly basis over six months after the initial baseline measurement. The data was then analyzed by determining the threshold at each frequency and the intensity of wave I that reflects the response of the cochlear nerve. After baseline testing, males’ hearing improved in ways that varied by dosage, whereas females’ hearing did not improve and may have worsened. This suggests that EGT may have a future as an ARHL progression treatment derived from nature

Novel L-Ergothioneine Treatments with Antioxidant/Anti Inflammatory Effects Improve Hearing in Geriatric Male Mice in CBA/CaJ Mice

Presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss, is gradual hearing loss that occurs as people grow older. There are many causes of age-related hearing loss, but one cause includes cochlear oxidative stress. Free radicals of oxygen or reactive oxygen species accumulate in the ear as a byproduct of many biochemical pathways. The buildup of byproducts causes oxidative stress on the cochlea, resulting in damages. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the free radicals that cause oxidative stress. L-Ergothioneine is a naturally derived antioxidant and shows therapeutic potential in many health issues regarding oxidative stress, including Alzheimer’s disease, liver damage, and heart disease. A study was designed to determine if the naturally derived anti-inflammatory antioxidant L-ergothioneine can be used to prevent presbycusis. The male and female CBA/Caj mice were divided into three groups for testing: control, low-dose (35mg/kg), and high-dose (70mg/kg). Hearing tests using ABRs were performed on a monthly basis over six months after the initial baseline measurement. The data was then analyzed by determining the threshold at each frequency and the intensity of wave I that reflects the response of the cochlear nerve. After baseline testing, males’ hearing improved in ways that varied by dosage, whereas females’ hearing did not improve and may have worsened. This suggests that EGT may have a future as an ARHL progression treatment derived from nature