Hypertensive retinopathy and sensorineural hearing loss

Cureus

Introduction Hypertension (HTN) is a common health problem, diagnosed in every one out of four individuals. It is associated with various complications; however, its impact on hearing loss is not well studied. In this study, we will determine the impact of HTN on hearing. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jinnah Sindh Medical University from August 2020 to March 2021. Three hundred (300) patients with documented diagnosis of HTN, between the ages of 21 and 50 years, were enrolled in the study. Another 300 non-hypertensive participants were enrolled as a reference group. Participants were sent to trained otolaryngologist technicians, who performed audiometry at six different frequencies for each year (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 kilohertz (kHz)). The final hearing level was calculated by taking mean of hearing levels of both ears. Results The hearing levels in audiometry were significantly higher in hypertensive participants compared to nonhypertensive participants (23.4 ± 8.67 dB vs 18.3 ± 6.02 dB; p-value: <0.0001). Participants who had been diagnosed with HTN for more than five years had higher hearing levels in audiometry test compared to participants with less than five years of HTN (24.21 ± 8.92 dB vs. 22.6 ± 8.02 dB; p-value 0.0001). Conclusion Based on our study, HTN is positively correlated with hearing loss. Therefore, longstanding hypertensive patients should be screened regularly in order to assess the status of their hearing abilities.

2009

To verify the relationship between systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and hearing loss in middleaged patient.

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology, 2021

Background The inner ear vascular system may be disrupted by systemic hypertension causing inner ear hemorrhage and resulting in progressive or sudden hearing loss. Constriction of the labyrinthine artery secondary to atherosclerosis seen in high BMI and waist/hip circumference—risk factors of hypertension—could also occur with resultant hearing loss. Thus, hypertension could predispose to increased risk of hearing loss. This cross-sectional study assessed the hearing thresholds of hypertensive patients and sought to determine the association between hypertension and hearing loss among patients attending cardiology clinic in tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Results The study population was 500 individuals equally divided into subject and control arms. The mean age of the subjects and controls was 47.2 ± 7.4 years and 46.9 ± 7.5 years respectively. Hearing loss—mainly mild sensorineural hearing loss—was seen in 30% of the subjects and 0.4% of the controls. The hearing loss was bilateral...

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology, 2019

Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Hypertensives have been observed to have elevated hearing thresholds in various studies. The aims of this study were to assess the hearing thresholds of hypertensives in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria and compare it with nonhypertensive controls. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among hypertensives and agematched and sex-matched controls from August 2015 to April 2016. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic and medical history. General physical examination and blood pressure measurements were done. Hearing thresholds were then measured with a diagnostic pure tone audiometer. The pure tone average was calculated. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 23. A total number of 104 participants were enrolled into the study. Fifty-two were hypertensives while the other 52 were nonhypertensive controls. The mean age of the participants was 49.1±10.3 years, with ages ranging from 34 to 85 years. There were 38 (36.5%) women and 66 (63.5%) men. Among the hypertensive participants, 20 (38.5%) had various degrees of hearing loss, whereas seven (13.5%) of the non-hypertensives had hearing loss (P=0.004, χ 2 =8.45). The mean pure tone average (air conduction) among the hypertensive participants was 27.8±13.3 dB HL and 16.7±7.9 dB HL among the nonhypertensive control group. Among the hypertensives, 17 (32.7%) had mild hearing loss, while all seven (13.5%) patients in the nonhypertensive group had mild hearing loss. This study has observed a 38.5% prevalence of hearing loss among hypertensives. It has shown an association between hypertension and hearing thresholds. All frequencies tested were observed to have elevated hearing thresholds among hypertensives as compared with the nonhypertensive control group.

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head &amp; Neck Surgery, 2013

To determine the likely association between hypertension and hearing loss. 150 cases and 124 controls, both genders, aged 45-64, included in the research after sample estimation. Hypertension was verified through blood pressure readings and was classified as grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 hypertension or no hypertension according to the blood pressure readings. Hearing was assessed by measuring pure tone threshold at various frequencies ranging between 250 and 8,000 Hz. There is a significant association between hypertension and increase in the hearing threshold. Hearing loss in the population under study suggests that hypertension is an accelerating factor of degeneration of the hearing apparatus due to aging. Association between Increased hearing threshold and hypertension in this research, can allow for an integrated work of cardiologists, nephrologists, otorhinolaryngologists, audiologists and other health professionals concerned with alterations caused by hypertension.

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Hearing loss (HL) has negative impact on quality of life. The prevalence of HL increases with age. Aims and Objectives: The present study was planned to explore the possible association of hypertension with age-related sensorineural HL (SNHL) in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in the ENT Department of Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam. Consecutive sampling method used. Sample size was considered using the formula – 4pq/l2 and 137 subjects from age group 60–75 years were included in the study. Hypertension was verified through a mercury sphygmomanometer and by a systematized questionnaire about hypertension and the use of medication for blood pressure. The hearing was assessed through threshold audiometric and audiological assessment. The study period: 4 months. All patients from the ENT department in the age group 60–75 years and who gave written informed consent were involved in the study. Participants with a...

Journal of Hearing Science

Background: Hearing loss and hypertension are leading causes of disability, affecting over 360 million people. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of factors such as vitamin D and sleep disorder on the risk of hearing loss among hypertensive patients. Material and methods: This prospective cohort study involved 885 patients aged between 25 and 65 years old who visited our ENT and Endocrinology departments. The study was based on biochemical tests, physical examination, hearing assessment, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index test. Statistical analysis used bivariate and multivariate stepwise regression. Results: Of 855 hypertensive patients, 184 (21.5%) had hearing loss. There were statistically significant differences between hypertensive patients with and without hearing loss in terms of BMI, smoking, family history of diabetes, tinnitus, vertigo, and headache. Moreover, there were statistically significant differences between hypertensive patients with hearing loss versus those with normal hearing in terms of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fasting glucose, HbA1C, HDL, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, microalbuminuria, and sleep quality. Among hypertensive patients, a multivariate regression analysis (stepwise method) indicated that vertigo, systolic blood pressure, vitamin D deficiency, numbness in the hand, tinnitus, vigorous activity, metabolic syndrome, sleep disturbance, and obesity were all risk predictors of hearing loss. Conclusions: Controlling hypertension, vitamin D level, sleep, and lifestyle might lower the risk of hearing loss among hypertensive patients.

2014

Hearing loss is a factor that affects the quality of life of people and it may make oral language receiving difficult. Studies confirm that hearing changes may derive from arterial hypertension. So the study was undertaken to evaluate hypertension as a risk factor of hearing loss. The study was carried out in the Department of Physiology in collaboration with the Department of ENT and Department of Medicne, IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. In this study, 150 cases and 150 controls groups were taken both genders aged 45-64 years. Hypertension was verified through blood pressure readings by sphygmomanometer, and by systematized questionnaire about hypertension and use of medication for hypertension. Hearing loss was assessed through pure tone audiometry. Only sensory neural deafness was taken. Statistical analysis was made. There is significant risk factor of hearing loss because of hypertension. Hearing loss population under study suggests that hypertension is an acc...

Aim of the study: This study was carried out to assess the effects of high blood pressure and its associated changes in the form of high fibrinogen level and high plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) level on hearing threshold in hypertensive patients. In this study, 100 persons (200 ears) 50 males and 50 females, with age range of 50-55 years, took part. They were equally divided into two groups, hypertension group and control group. Hypertension group included hypertensive patients previously diagnosed as hypertensive patients of at least 10 years duration with systolic BP above 140 mmHg and diastolic BP above 90 mmHg. They were under treatment of hypertension. After audiometry, the hypertension group was divided into two subgroups according to hearing threshold, the first subgroup contained hypertensive patients with hearing threshold less than 25 dB(with no hearing loss) and the second subgroup contained hypertensive patients with hearing threshold above 25 dB(affected with hearing loss). Control group contained normtensive persons with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure less than 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg respectively. Blood pressure (Systolic, diastolic and mean), pure tone audiometry at different frequencies, plasma fibrinogen level, and plasma ANP level, were measured. Results:-The results indicated that: 1-There is highly significant (p<0.001) increase in hearing thresholds (worse hearing) at all high frequencies in hypertensive patients. The highest hearing threshold was recorded at 8000 Hz-frequency.2-There is an increase in percentage ratio of persons affected with hearing impairment at 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz frequency separately (hearing threshold above 25 dB) in hypertensive patients on comparison with control group. The highest percentage ratio of persons with hearing deterioration at certain frequency is at 8000 Hz-frequency. It may be an indicator of beginning of hearing impairment in hypertensive patients. 3-There is an increase in percentage ratio of persons affected with high-frequency hearing impairment (mean hearing threshold in all high frequencies collectively in the same person above 25 dB) associated with high blood pressure It arrived to 84% in hypertensive patients instead of 22% in controls. High blood pressure leads to increase in number of affected persons with highfrequencies hearing impairment to about 4 times as in controls. 4-High blood pressure is associated with highly significant (p <0.001) high fibrinogen level. That level is positively correlated with hearing threshold at all high frequencies, and positively correlated with hearing threshold separately at 8000 Hz-frequency.5-High blood pressure is associated also with highly significant (p <0.001) elevated plasma ANP level. ANP level is positively correlated with, mean blood pressure, hearing threshold at all high frequencies, and at hearing threshold of 8000 Hz-frequency. 6-In hypertensive patients who affected with high frequency hearing loss, there is significant (p < 0.05) increase of plasma fibrinogen level and plasma ANP level compared with hypertensive patients without hearing loss. Conclusion: High blood pressure is a risk factor for high-frequency hearing impairment. Hypertension is also associated with increase percentage ratio of persons affected with high-frequency hearing impairment. 8000 Hzfrequency is the most affected frequency in hypertensive persons, and may be an indicator for start of hearing impairment in them. High plasma fibrinogen level and high plasma ANP level, that are associated with high blood pressure, are directly related to deterioration of hearing threshold in hypertensive patients. The role of fibrinogen and ANP in pathogenesis of hearing loss in hypertensive patients must be thoroughly investigated. Also extended high frequency audiometry is highly recommended for early detection of hearing loss in hypertensive patients.

International Journal of Health Sciences & Medical Research , 2024

Background: Hypertension is an important public-health problem, and it has been identified as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality due to the high incidence of end-organ damages. Unlike other complications of hypertension, cochlear dysfunction in hypertensive patients is a hidden and progressive damage that remains undetected (subclinical) for a long time. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of subclinical hearing impairment, as well as the type and degree of hearing loss among hypertensive patients in our environment. Methods: This was a cross-sectional cohort study conducted among adults diagnosed with hypertension previously. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained. Previous history of related exposure event (hypertension) and outcome (hearing loss) was assessed. Each participant was then subjected to conventional Pure Tone Audiometry (c-PTA) and Extended High frequency Audiometry (EHA) tests, and findings were analyzed. Results: One hundred and ninety (190) hypertensive patients were enrolled, among which 107 (56.3%) were females and 83 (43.7%) males. Hypertension was more common in the age group of 51-60 years (26.8%) and 61-70 years (30.5%). The overall prevalence of hearing loss was 41.6%, of which 18.4% had subclinical hearing impairment. The most common type of hearing loss was sensorineural 68 (86.1%), and found to be in varying degrees of 33.8%, 26.5%, 23.5%, and 16.2% for mild, moderate, severe, and profound hearing loss, respectively. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of hearing loss among hypertensive patients was 41.6%, with a significant proportion (18.4%) having subclinical hearing loss, which is not noticed by the patients. Therefore, routine pure tone audiometric hearing screening for all hypertensives is recommended to enable early detection and treatment of this hearing loss. Keywords: Hearing loss, Hypertension, Extended High Frequency Audiometry, Pure tone Audiometry, Prevalence, Subclinical hearing loss