Socio-presbyacusis: definition and prevention

Socio-presbyacusis is a hot topic with an increasing incidence and high social costs. The main etiological factors are: genetics, smoking and drinking habits, diet, metabolic syndrome, chronic otitis and noise exposure (professional, environmental and recreative). Despite its multifactorial origin, the pathogenetic mechanism of cochlear damage is based on the increased production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The clinical characteristic feature of socio-presbyacusis is represented by slow cochlear degeneration causing a reduction of central hearing inputs. The result is a gradual social isolation of the deaf patient with a worsening of his Quality of Life. The main target of the management of socio-presbyacusis is the early diagnosis and prosthetic remediation in order to avoid patient's isolation. New preventive and remediative strategies are represented by antioxidant drugs.