Understanding the role of inflammation in sensorineural hearing loss: Current goals and future prospects

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common otologic condition caused by damage to hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons that affects transmission pathways. Most of these cells cannot be regenerated, and there has been no breakthrough in regeneration techniques for inner ear cells. SNHL has a high incidence rate and can cause a variety of clinical symptoms, greatly impacting people's daily lives. With limited clinical treatments, the search for critical targets is urgent. Studies have shown that inflammation is prevalent in the pathogenesis of SNHL and plays a significant role in it. Inflammation is a normal body defense response, and a systemic anti-inflammatory approach is undesirable. It is crucial for us to identify potential targets of inflammation in SNHL and take measures specifically targeting those targets with minimal systemic impact. This paper firstly describes the role of inflammation in various types of SNHL and then provides an overview of the interactions between inflammation and cochlear immunity, cochlear microcirculation, vascular spasm, and glutamate metabolism and finally comprehensively examines the feasibility of targets in these interactions. This paper is expected to facilitate the development of targeted anti-inflammation for SNHL and provide strategies and approaches for treating clinical SNHL.