6.

The Role of the Hippocampus in Maintaining HearingAging can cause a decline in

various auditory system functions, including hearingsensitivity, speech perception,
and the ability to understand speech in noisy environments.This decline can be
caused by various factors, including changes in the inner ear, alterationsin
central auditory processing, exposure to noise, and other factors that can
damagethe auditory system over time [88]. However, the rate and extent of decline
can varysignificantly among individuals, and some degree of decline is a normal part
of the agingprocess. Regular hearing screenings, consistent use of hearing
protection, and maintaininga healthy lifestyle can effectively mitigate the impact
of aging on the auditory system. Asindividuals age, there is a progressive loss of
auditory input, beginning with the outerhair cells and extending to the inner hair
cells. This is followed by the loss of sensoryneurons in the cochlea [88]. By 2050,
around 2.5 billion people worldwide will have hearingimpairment [89]. Recent
research has suggested that there may be a link between AD andhearing loss [88–91].
It is believed that the cognitive decline associated with the disease mayaffect the
ability of the brain to process auditory information, leading to increased
hearingloss. However, the use of hearing aids has been shown to improve hearing
function inindividuals with AD and may also help slow down the progression of the
disease. The useof hearing aids can improve communication and social interactions,
which can positivelyimpact the overall quality of life for individuals with AD and
hearing loss [90,91].A novel idea of the effects of hearing aids on
neurodegenerative diseases was furtherexplored [92,93]. Griffiths et al. [92]
grouped them into four potential mechanisms basedon the typical cochlea, brainstem,
and forebrain pathology. Hearing aids will help auditoryhearing, but currently,
there is not sufficient evidence to recommend the use of hearing aidsto reduce
cognitive decline [93]. The structural and functional features of the auditory
braincould play a reciprocal interplay between peripheral and central hearing
dysfunction [94],which seems to be particularly affected by the ‘tau’ proteins
[95]. The initial stages of ADhave been associated with dysfunction of the
entorhinal cortex (Figure 3; [95]). Recentstudies showed that enhancing the
hyperexcitability of the cortical projection neuronsin the lateral entorhinal
cortex could facilitate the deposition of the amyloidβ-proteinand tauopathy in
synaptically connected neurons in the hippocampus [96]. Currently,there is no cure
for AD, and the available treatments can only moderately slow down theprogression
of the disease. While early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the
disease’sprogression and improve quality of life, they cannot cure it. Current
treatment optionsfocus on managing the symptoms and improving the individual’s
ability to function andmaintain independence for as long as possible [97]. It may
involve a combination ofmedications, behavioral and psychological interventions,
and support for the individualand their caregivers.