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Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
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Can prestin level be a biomarker for determining sensorineural hearing loss?
Sadettin Emre1, Turgut Karlidag1, Süleyman Aydın2
1Fırat University Medical Faculty, Department of Otolaryngology, Elazığ, Turkey.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx
|November 4, 2021
Summary
Serum prestin levels are significantly lower in patients with sensorineural hearing loss and presbycusis. Lower prestin may help predict hearing loss severity when used with audiometry.
Area of Science:
- Oto-neurology
- Biochemistry
- Audiology
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and presbycusis are common conditions affecting millions worldwide.
- Prestin, a protein crucial for cochlear function, is implicated in hearing.
- Biomarkers for early detection and assessment of hearing loss are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure serum prestin levels in individuals with SNHL and presbycusis.
- To evaluate prestin as a potential biomarker for predicting hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Serum prestin levels were analyzed in 120 participants across four groups: young controls, older controls, young SNHL patients, and older presbycusis patients.
- Audiometry was performed to assess hearing function.
- Blood samples were collected for prestin level quantification.
Main Results:
- Serum prestin levels were significantly lower in patients with SNHL (123.64 pg/mL) and presbycusis (79.54 pg/mL) compared to control groups.
- No significant difference in prestin levels was observed between younger SNHL patients and older presbycusis patients.
- Significantly higher prestin levels were found in both younger and older control groups compared to their respective hearing-impaired groups (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Serum prestin levels show potential as biomarkers for assessing presbycusis and SNHL.
- Prestin levels, in conjunction with audiometry, may aid in predicting the extent of hearing loss.

