Lower expression of prestin and MYO7A correlates with menopause-associated hearing loss.

Objective: This study aimed to test the hearing function and to investigate the effect of estrogen on prestin and MYO7A expression in hair cells of the cochlea in ovariectomized rats. Study design: We compared the hearing function systematically in normal female Sprague-Dawley rats and in ovariectomized rats with or without exogenous β-estradiol administration by auditory brainstem response measurements and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. In addition, a correlation analysis between the functional parameters and cochlear histology was carried out. Results: There was a significant auditory threshold shift in the high-frequency range in the ovariectomized rats. Prestin and MYO7A expression was lowered in the cochlea of ovariectomized rats. These effects could be recovered by subcutaneous administration of β-estradiol. Conclusion: Low estrogen levels may lead to reduced expression of prestin and MYO7A in cochlea, leading to a menopause-related hearing loss.