Swiss scientists have identified a signaling pathway, mTORC2, that helps maintain hearing as we age. When mTORC2 activity is decreased or disabled, hair cells of the inner ear physically deteriorate, and fewer sound signals reach the brain, leading to hearing loss.
“In order to develop new therapies, we need to better understand what the auditory sensory cells need for proper function.” —Dr. Maurizio Cortada, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel
Why it matters
The discovery of a link between mTORC2 activity and age-related hearing loss may provide new treatment options to stop it.
The big picture
mTORC2 signaling is essential for preserving hearing as we age. However, mTORC2 activity declines with age.
- When mTORC2 was missing, “tiny hairs” were shortened. These “tiny hairs” are extensions of hair cells that convert sound to nerve signals.
- Besides this physical change, the number of synapses that transmit sound to the auditory nerve was also reduced.
The decrease in mTORC2 activity may explain age-related hearing loss.
What's Next
- Maintaining mTORC2 activity may help restore hearing as the hair cells lose function.
- Since the ear is easily accessible, local drug or gene therapy may be viable treatment options.
The takeaway
Finding ways to stop the decline in mTORC2 activity may open the door to new treatments for hearing loss.
