Age-related hearing loss in healthy older adults is associated with arterial stiffening and higher aortic systolic blood pressure: potential role of inflammation.

ABSTRACT: Age-related aortic stiffening increases aortic (central) blood pressure and flow pulsatility, resulting in microvascular dysfunction and target organ damage. The relationship between aortic stiffness, aortic blood pressure, and age-related hearing loss has not been fully determined. We hypothesize that aortic stiffness and aortic blood pressure will be associated with hearing loss and attenuated by inflammatory biomarkers [matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), resistin, and vaspin]. Twenty-two younger (n = 11, 4M/7F, age 25.5 ± 2.1 years) and older (n = 11, 4M/7F, age 65.8 ± 0.9 years) adults completed resting measures of aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV), pulse wave analysis, and hearing sensitivity. Compared to young adults, older adults had higher cfPWV, aortic

SUBMITTER: Carlini NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12932603 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature