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The emotional ear in stress
1Equipe Inserm EMI 9902, Laboratoire d'Otologie NeuroOtologie, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Université la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille II, Boulevard Pierre Dramard, 13916 Marseille Cedex 20, France. horner.k@jean-roche.univ-mrs.fr
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|September 25, 2003
Summary
Everyday stress impacts the inner ear through stress hormones, potentially causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Further research into these stress hormone effects could improve clinical management of inner ear disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Stress is a daily occurrence, and stress hormones are vital for adaptation.
- Persistent high stress hormone levels can lead to disease.
- Inner ear pressure disturbances are a form of homeostatic stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence of stress hormones in the inner ear.
- To explore interactions between neuroendocrine, sympathetic, and immune systems affecting the inner ear.
- To consider the role of local steroid hormone action within the inner ear.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of morphological and functional evidence.
- Analysis of neuroendocrine and sympathetic system interactions.
- Examination of gene expression data in the inner ear.
Main Results:
- Stress hormones have morphological and functional evidence within the inner ear.
- Interactions exist between neuroendocrine, sympathetic, and immune systems impacting the inner ear.
- Steroid hormones may act locally within the inner ear via genomic and non-genomic pathways.
Conclusions:
- Stress hormone effects on the inner ear are significant and potentially manifest from in-utero.
- These effects may contribute to inner ear dysfunctions like tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss.
- Further research is warranted to integrate stress into clinical management of inner ear pathologies.