Aging effects on cochlear function

Abstract

Introduction: As long as the individual grows old, all his organs suffer multiple organic transformations, and the deterioration of the sensorial auditory function appears as one of the most frustrating sensorial deficits. The aim of this work was to evaluate aging effects on the cochlear function. Material and Method: a group consisting of fifty persons with ages from 61 to 90 years, with high frequency hearing loss, eight men and 42 women, was evaluated. The patients underwent basic audiologic evaluation, transient and distortion product emissions. Results: Age interfered in the pure tone thresholds and women presented best thresholds. In the transient and distortion product otoacoustic emissions, aging interfered in the results and women were the only ones presenting responses in the transient otoacoustic emissions. Conclusion: Age influenced negatively over the auditory function on both genders, and the impact of the deterioration was more prevalent on men.