NEUROBIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF HEARING AND THEIR ROLE IN AUDITORY AND COGNITIVE PATHOLOGY

Abstract

The auditory system is essential for survival and human communication, allowing us to detect vibratory stimuli from the environment to create sound perceptions. Disruptions in auditory system function cause some of the most common medical symptoms, such as hearing loss and tinnitus, affecting millions worldwide. Epidemiological studies have shown a link between hear- ing loss and dementia, as well as between tinnitus and neuropsychiatric disorders like anxiety and insomnia. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these conditions is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies. The auditory system comprises afferent and efferent pathways that form multiple feedback circuits between the auditory cortex and the cochlea (inner ear). Our research has provided evidence that modulating auditory responses during selective attention to visual stimuli is one of the key functions of the auditory efferent system. Furthermore, regarding the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, we have demonstrated that the loss of otoacoustic emissions is associated with brain atrophy in non-auditory regions, including the cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, which are involved in cognitive and emotional brain circuits. In conclusion, it is vital to address these conditions through a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical and scientific specialties to understand and treat the links between auditory function and brain processes. This will enable the development of more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies to improve patients’ quality of life.