Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
08:51
Data Acquisition and Analysis In Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry In Mice
Published on: May 10, 2019
11.7K
Hearing and age-related changes in the gray mouse lemur
Christian Schopf1, Elke Zimmermann, Julia Tünsmeyer
1Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany, christian.schopf@tiho-hannover.de.
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology : JARO
|August 13, 2014
Summary
Hearing sensitivity declines with age in gray mouse lemurs, impacting auditory thresholds. This study reveals age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) in this primate model, relevant for aging and Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Primate auditory physiology
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Gray mouse lemurs are models for primate evolution and Alzheimer's research.
- Auditory thresholds and hearing sensitivity change with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine auditory thresholds and hearing sensitivity during aging in gray mouse lemurs.
- To assess the effect of age on hearing using brainstem-evoked response audiometry (BERA).
Main Methods:
- Applied brainstem-evoked response audiometry (BERA) to two age groups of adult mouse lemurs (young: 1-5 years; old: ≥7 years).
- Determined auditory thresholds using clicks and tone pips across a frequency range of 800 Hz to 50 kHz.
Main Results:
- Auditory thresholds revealed sensitivity from 800 Hz to nearly 50 kHz, encompassing the species' communication range.
- Aging significantly shifted auditory thresholds (12-27 dB) between 2 and 50.4 kHz.
- Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) manifested as reduced BERA signal amplitudes, not latency changes.
Conclusions:
- Hearing range in gray mouse lemurs supports the hypothesis that predation influenced hearing evolution in early primates.
- Findings provide a basis for differentiating peripheral and central factors in aging brain and Alzheimer's disease research.
- Age-related hearing decline suggests metabolic decrease and potential cochlear nerve degeneration.
