Resistance to age-related hearing loss in the echolocating big brown bat (

Grace Capshaw, Clarice A Diebold, Danielle M Adams, Jack G Rayner, Gerald S Wilkinson, Cynthia F Moss, Amanda M Lauer

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Hearing mediates many behaviours critical for survival in echolocating bats, including foraging and navigation. Although most mammals are susceptible to progressive age-related hearing loss, the evolution of biosonar, which requires the ability to hear low-intensity echoes from outgoing sonar signals, may have selected against the development of hearing deficits in bats. Many echolocating bats exhibit exceptional longevity and rely on acoustic behaviours for survival to old age; however, relatively little is known about the ageing bat auditory system. In this study, we used DNA methylation to estimate the ages of wild-caught big brown bats (

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Research summary

The paper investigates the auditory system of echolocating bats and their resistance to age-related hearing loss, which is relevant to understanding the biological mechanisms of aging and longevity. However, while it contributes to the field of aging research, the findings appear to be more of a solid research nature with limited broader implications for lifespan extension or addressing the root causes of aging.

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