Age-linked decline in cochlear function stems from falling endocochlear potential

Evidence

Decreased endocochlear potential may have less of an effect on thresholds closer to the apex of the cochlea and a larger effect in the base (Mills et al. 2006 ) while still impacting cochlear nonlinearity. … The present study found strong evidence for age-related decreases in both high-side and low-side two-tone suppression and in estimates of cochlear gain. These findings are consistent with a decreasing endocochlear potential that occurs with increasing age. — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 959

Categorization

• XREF: The apex/base discrepancy in endocochlear-potential effects is a mechanism echoed across the presbycusis literature. — connects to: Cochlear gain declines with age before measurable threshold elevation appears — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 959; Older adults show significantly lower cochlear gain estimates than younger adults — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 943; Hearing sensitivity degrades with age and is lower in early childhood (+3 more)
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 959

Broader Connections

• Much age-related hearing decline stems from environmental noise, not aging itself #contradicts (0.85) — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 621
• Hearing sensitivity degrades with age and is lower in early childhood #expands (0.80)
• Age-related presbycusis limits high-frequency hearing by the mid-twenties #expands (0.75)