Tomodensitometric and histological age-related changes in the normal feline middle and inner ear

Deafness in cats may be due to acquired causes such as aging. Similar age-related morphological changes in the cochlea have been noted in several animal species. However, little is known about the effects of age on the morphology of the middle and inner ear in cats. The aim of the present study was to compare these structures in middle-aged and geriatric cats using computed tomography and histological morphometric analysis. Data were obtained from 28 cats, aged 3-18 years, with no hearing or neurological disorders. Computed tomography showed an increase in tympanic bulla (middle ear) volume with aging. Histological morphometric analysis revealed thickening of the basilar membrane and atrophy of the stria vascularis (inner ear) in older cats, similar to what has been observed in older humans and dogs. Nevertheless, histological procedures could be improved to provide more data for comparison with different forms of presbycusis in humans.