Hidden Hearing Loss: Causes, Current Knowledge, and Future Directions

Introduction: Hidden hearing loss (HHL) is a type of auditory disorder that affects the neural processing and sensitivity in subjects with normal thresholds. Unlike central disorders, HHL happens when cochlea (the peripheral organ) affected. There are several known risk factors to which includes noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, neuropathies, age. Recent studies have shed light on this loss, its etiology, prevalence, how it can affect acuity humans. Methods: This paper covers current research regarding HHL, causes, different mechanisms involved disorder, diagnosis potential treatments related it. We will delve deeply into researches concerning HHL. 4 articles from 285 were selected focusing individuals bad speech intelligibility discussed paper. In addition, discussing effects exposure impaired not considered as study solely aims focus resulting 285. Results: Numerous literatures over decades suggested due degeneration cochlear ribbon synapses, or hair cells synapses without cell damage. Their association was noted times through study, whether we studying effect age, ototoxicity. all cases, no significant damage observed, thresholds recovered. However, decline amplitude Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) peak I nerve (AN) responses exposed compound action (CAP) measured certain drugs applied round window Guinea pigs. Conclusion: Most studies, proven synaptophysin major contributor induced, audiometric tests used help identify including Puretone audiometry background noise, ABR, CAP, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE).