The Role of Cochlea Extracellular Matrix in Age-Related Hearing Loss

The study explores the role of the cochlea's extracellular matrix (ECM), specifically the vestibular supporting matrix (VSM), in age-related hearing loss (ARHL). The ECM is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and function of tissues, including the cochlea, where it influences auditory cell differentiation and hair cell function. Aging leads to changes in the VSM, such as fibrosis, which may contribute to hearing pathologies like cochlear hair cell degeneration (CHD). However, the specific role of VCM-associated molecules in CHD development is not well understood, highlighting the need for further research. The study emphasizes the VSM's importance in sound perception, transmission, and ionic balance maintenance in the inner ear.