The Aging Ear

A special issue of Audiology Research (ISSN 2039-4349).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 271

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences (DNS), Otolaryngology Section, Padova University, Padova, Italy
Interests: hearing disorders; otology; cochlear implants; audiology; genetics
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Guest Editor
Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
Interests: clinical geriatrics; epidemiology of aging; lifelong health promotion; healthy aging; musculoskeletal diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aging is a progressive, multifactorial biological process characterized by a gradual decline in physiological and cognitive functions, beginning in early adulthood and continuing throughout the lifespan. It results from the cumulative effects of molecular and cellular damage, impaired tissue homeostasis, and reduced regenerative capacity. Genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors modulate the trajectory of aging, while the progressive failure of repair and maintenance mechanisms increases vulnerability to disease. Aging is the predominant risk factor for a broad spectrum of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Beyond systemic disease, it contributes to progressive impairments in motor control, memory, and other cognitive domains, as well as profound social and emotional transitions such as retirement, relocation, and bereavement.

One of the most prevalent sensory consequences of aging is age-related hearing loss, which affects a substantial proportion of older adults. Presbycusis is primarily caused by structural and functional degeneration within the auditory system, from the external ear to cortical areas, including loss of cochlear hair cells, degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons, strial atrophy, and alterations in central auditory pathways. These changes reduce auditory sensitivity, particularly to high frequencies, and impair temporal and spatial sound processing, which severely limits speech perception in noisy environments. Concomitant vascular insufficiency and metabolic decline further exacerbate cochlear vulnerability.

In parallel, age-related deterioration of the vestibular apparatus—including loss of vestibular hair cells, degeneration of the vestibular nerve, and reduced efficacy of central vestibular integration—leads to impaired balance control. This contributes to postural instability, dizziness, and an increased risk of falls, which represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population.

Early identification of presbycusis and vestibular dysfunction, through audiological and vestibular testing, is essential for timely intervention. Evidence-based strategies such as amplification devices (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants), auditory rehabilitation, and vestibular rehabilitation programs can significantly mitigate functional decline, enhance communication, reduce fall risk, and improve overall quality of life in older adults.

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Martini
Prof. Dr. Stefania Maggi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • genetics and epigenetics of aging
  • external and middle ear aging
  • presbycusis
  • presbyastasia
  • cognitive decline
  • aural rehabilitation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

11 pages, 243 KB  
Article
Association Between Shift Work and Auditory–Cognitive Processing in Middle-Aged Healthcare Workers
by Margarida Roque, Tatiana Marques and Margarida Serrano
Audiol. Res. 2025, 15(6), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15060145 - 25 Oct 2025
Viewed by 147
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Shift work in healthcare professionals affects performance in high cognitive processing, especially in complex environments. However, the beneficial effects that working in complex environments may have on auditory–cognitive processing remain unknown. These professionals face increased challenges in decision-making due to factors such [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Shift work in healthcare professionals affects performance in high cognitive processing, especially in complex environments. However, the beneficial effects that working in complex environments may have on auditory–cognitive processing remain unknown. These professionals face increased challenges in decision-making due to factors such as noise exposure and sleep disturbances, which may lead to the development of enhanced auditory–cognitive resources. This study aims to investigate the associations between shift work and auditory–cognitive processing in middle-aged healthcare workers. Methods: Thirty middle-aged healthcare workers were equally allocated to a shift worker (SW) or a fixed-schedule worker (FSW) group. Performance on a cognitive test, and in pure-tone audiometry, speech in quiet and noise, and listening effort were used to explore whether correlations were specific to shift work. Results: Exploratory analyses indicated that shift workers tended to perform better in visuospatial/executive function, memory recall, memory index, orientation, and total MoCA score domains compared to fixed-schedule workers. In the SW group, hearing thresholds correlated with memory recall and memory index. In the FSW group, hearing thresholds correlated with orientation, memory index, and total MoCA score, while listening effort correlated with naming, and speech intelligibility in quiet correlated with total MoCA scores. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that shift work may be linked to distinct auditory–cognitive patterns, with potential compensatory mechanisms in visuospatial/executive functions and memory among middle-aged healthcare workers. Larger, longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm whether these patterns reflect true adaptive mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Aging Ear)
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