Prevalence and risk factors of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with systemic hypertension

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hearing loss severely affects the quality of life. At the same time there is a high burden of systemic hypertensives in the community. Various authors have conflicting opinions regarding the association of hearing loss with systemic hypertension. Our study was conducted in this context to find the prevalence and risk factors associated with sensorineural hearing loss in patients with systemic hypertension.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted at Dr. Somervell memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam, during the period December 2015 to October 2017. A sample of 140 hypertensives were studied. They were subjected to pure tone audiometry after detailed history and physical examination including recording of blood pressure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 140 hypertensives, 61 patients (43.6%) were detected to have sensorineural hearing loss. In our study, age, stage of systemic hypertension and duration of systemic hypertension were the risk factors found to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sensorineural hearing loss has a high prevalence among patients with systemic hypertension. Hence, a pure tone audiometry should be done routinely in all hypertensives, particularly in elderly patients with long standing systemic hypertension. Periodic audiological assessment should be incorporated in them to start rehabilitation as early as possible. Early diagnosis of systemic hypertension in the community and initiation of treatment can help to further hinder the progression of microvascular disease that leads to target organ damage.</p>