Insights Into Stria Vascular Function, Stria Immunity, and Age-Related Hearing Loss

The microvasculature plays a crucial role in maintaining auditory health by delivering essential nutrients such as glucose, ions, growth factors, and hormones, while also facilitating the elimination of metabolic waste. Simultaneously, the innate immune system acts as a protective barrier against cochlear damage caused by infections, toxic substances, and foreign agents. The normal functioning of these two systems creates an appropriate microenvironment that supports the health of sensory hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Disruptions in blood flow or inappropriate activation of the immune response can result in cochlear hypoxia and inflammation, both of which are linked to various auditory disorders. Understanding the characteristics and functions of these two systems could offer valuable insights into their distinct roles, potentially leading to the development of new treatments for hearing disorders associated with their dysfunction. This review covers the cellular characteristics and functions of both the vascular network and the innate immune cells within the stria vascularis, with a particular focus on how changes in both systems contribute to age-related hearing loss (ARHL), a common sensory deficit affecting the elderly population.