Age-related hearing loss: the complex interaction of carbohydrate metabolism in auditory and cognitive dysfunction during aging

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is an extremely widespread form of age-related disease mainly characterized by high-frequency hearing loss and subsequent cognitive dysfunction. The pathological changes associated with ARHL involve both peripheral auditory structures and the central nervous system. Recent studies have focused on the aging mechanisms of peripheral auditory sensors, such as cochlear hair cells, spiral ganglion cells, and the stria vascularis. Additionally, the role of carbohydrate metabolic signaling pathways in ARHL has garnered attention, particularly the regulatory effects of glycolysis, the glycosylation pathway, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Additionally, cognitive dysfunction is a significant clinical symptom in the advanced stages of ARHL, and growing evidence suggests that ARHL may be closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease, potentially serving as a risk factor for its development. In this review, we summarize the specific regulators and metabolic pathways of carbohydrate metabolism that contribute to ARHL. Furthermore, we discuss recent research progress on the relationship between carbohydrate metabolism, hearing loss, and cognitive dysfunction in ARHL. Finally, we explore novel therapeutic targets and future prospects for understanding the pathogenesis and clinical diagnosis of ARHL and related aging-associated diseases.