Output details

Markers of inflammatory status associated with hearing threshold in older people: findings from the Herfordshire ageing study

Significance of output:

Age-related hearing loss is a highly disabling condition which affects an estimated 1 in 7 of the world's adult population. The study provides the first evidence for a specific biological cause (chronic inflammation) for age-related hearing loss via a scientific study in the human population, rather than via animal models. This finding opens up the possibility of novel treatments for age-related hearing loss through the targetting of the inflammatory and immune response. The study has led to the main author being invited speaker at four major international conferences, and to further funding from an industrial sponsor.