As the global population ages, age-related hearing loss has emerged as a significant public health challenge. This irreversible, progressive hearing decline not only severely impairs auditory function but also leads to social isolation, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The primary cause of this condition is cochlear aging, yet our understanding of its molecular regulation remains limited. This gap is largely due to two factors: the reliance on rodent models, whose cochlear structures differ significantly from primates, and the scarcity of human cochlear samples, which restricts the clinical relevance of research.

As we age, our bodies gradually lose their ability to repair and regenerate. Imagine a bustling city where construction workers (stem cells) are constantly fixing and building new structures. But as time goes on, fewer workers show up, and the city starts to crumble. This is what happens in our bodies—our stem cells dwindle, making it harder for tissues to heal and maintain balance.