The Role of Calcium Signaling in Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)'s incidence is on the rise, severely affecting the quality of life of patients and even causing psychological and mental damage. It also poses a heavy burden on the global healthcare system. The auditory process involves the conversion of mechanical signals generated by the vibration of the basilar membrane into electrical signals by sensory hair cells. These signals are then transmitted to the spiral ganglion neurons, which receive input from inner hair cells and relay the information to the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem, and subsequently to the auditory cortex. Calcium plays a crucial role in this process, influencing homeostasis of the cochlear environment, the mechanoelectrical transduction channels and synaptic neurotransmitter release. Due to the increasing risks associated with aging, noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, and genetic mutations, the incidence of SNHL is continuously rising. Notably, SNHL often manifests as a disruption of calcium homeostasis. Therefore, it is essential to understand the potential mechanisms of calcium signaling in SNHL, providing new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of SNHL. This review focuses on the mechanisms of calcium signaling in SNHL, including factors affecting calcium homeostasis and potential therapeutic approaches.