Grant: Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data - Early Career Researchers

Approximately half of individuals who are older than 75 experience hearing loss. The occurrence of hearing loss can significantly impact the quality of life of these individuals due to communication difficulties, loneliness, and depression. Although we know that aging and exposure to noise increase the risk of experiencing hearing loss, twin studies have shown us that genetics also plays a vital role in hearing. Therefore, this study is aimed at identifying differences in DNA sequence between individuals who experience age-related hearing loss and those that do not, using data that has been made available through the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). To identify individuals who experience age-related hearing loss, we will use audiogram data present in the CLSA. Audiogram data provides measurements of the softest sounds that individuals can hear at each tested frequency. We will then look at differences in DNA sequences between individuals who experience hearing loss and those that do not. While most research looking at the genetics of age-related hearing loss has looked at genetic variants that change one base pair in DNA sequence (i.e., single nucleotide variants), our research will also examine other essential types of genetic variants. This includes stretches of two to six base pairs of DNA sequence which are repeated multiple times (i.e., short tandem repeats), as well as genetic variants on the X chromosome. These analyses will allow us to identify new genes that are involved in age-related hearing loss.