Advances in the treatment of age-related hearing loss: from molecular mechanisms to targeted interventions

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common sensory disorder in older adults. Current hearing interventions, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, face limitations in accessibility and adherence. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cochlear aging and identifying effective therapeutic targets for ARHL. This review summarizes several molecular mechanisms implicated in cochlear aging and ARHL, including autophagy dysregulation, oxidative stress, stereocilia degeneration, and dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics. We further discuss recent advances in potential therapeutic targets and intervention strategies associated with these pathways, and provide theoretical support for targeted interventions for ARHL.