Factor In Sensorineural Hearing Loss Research Articles

Risk factors for treatment-related sensorineural hearing loss and hearing aid use in medulloblastoma patients: an observational cohort study.

This study aimed to analyze treatment-related risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and an indication for hearing aids (IHA) in medulloblastoma patients after craniospinal radiotherapy (CSRT) and platin-based chemotherapy (PCth). Atotal of 58patients (116 ears) with medulloblastoma and clinically non-relevant pre-treatment hearing thresholds were included. Cranial radiotherapy and PCth were applied sequentially according to the HIT 2000 study protocol or post-study recommendations, the NOA-07 protocol, or the PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumor) 5MB therapy protocol. Audiological outcomes up to amaximum post-therapeutic follow-up of 4years were assessed. The incidence, post-treatment progression, and time-to-onset of SNHL, defined as Muenster classification grade ≥MS2b, were evaluated. Risk factors for IHA were analyzed separately. While 39patients received conventionally fractionated RT (CFRT; group1), 19patients received hyperfractionated RT (HFRT; group2). Over amedian follow-up of 40months, 69.2% of ears in group1 experienced SNHL ≥MS2b compared to 89.5% in group2 (p = 0.017). In multivariable Cox regressions analysis, younger age and increased mean cochlear radiation dose calculated as the equivalent dose in 2‑Gy fractions (EQD2) were associated with time-to-onset of SNHL ≥MS2b (p = 0.019 and p = 0.023, respectively) and IHA (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). Tomotherapy and supine positioning were associated with alower risk for IHA in univariable modelling only (p = 0.048 and p = 0.027, respectively). Young age and cochlear EQD2 Dmean ≥40 Gy are significant risk factors for the incidence, degree, and time-to-event of SNHL as well as for IHA in medulloblastoma patients.

Dosimetric analysis of hearing loss after cranial radiation therapy in children: A single-institution study from the French national registry PediaRT

PurposeTo identify dosimetric predictive factors of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children after cranial radiation therapy (RT) in a single institution using dosimetric data from the French National Registry PediaRT. Methods and MaterialsComplete audiological follow-up data were available for 44 children treated with cranial RT between 2014 and 2021 at our institution. The median age at the time of RT initiation was 9 years (range: 2–17 years). No children presented with hearing loss prior to treatment. SNHL was defined as a Chang ototoxicity grade ≥ 1a or higher. ResultsMedian audiometric follow-up duration was 51 months. Seven children (16 %) developed SNHL with a median time to occurrence of 33 months (range, 18–46 months). The estimated SNHL cumulative rate at 2 years post-RT was 4,5% ± 3,1% and at 5 years was 21 % ± 7.2 %. Multiple Cox regression models showed that the association of the age at radiotherapy and the dosimetric values to the inner ear canal and cochlea were the most significant predictive factors of SNHL occurrence. No child who received less than 35 Gy on average to both cochleae (n = 26) suffered from SNHL, whereas the 5-year SNHL cumulative incidence for the children who received greater than or equal to 35 Gy on average to either cochlea (n = 18) was 51.8 % ± 15.1 %. ConclusionDoses received by the inner ear canal and cochlea, associated with the age at RT initiation, are the main predictive factors for radiation-induced SNHL. A median dose to either cochlea over 35 Gy significantly increases the risk of SNHL and justify close audiometric monitoring to detect and equip hearing loss at an early stage.

Audiologic and vestibular assessment in children and adolescents with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia major: The era of deferasirox film coated tablet

BackgroundHearing impairment has frequently been described in β-thalassemia patients with a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life. Most studies provided evidence of deferoxamine (DFO) dose-related ototoxicity, however, the data is scarce regarding deferasirox (DFX) as a sole iron chelator. AimWe aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibular dysfunction in regularly transfused β-thalassemia patients who had been treated with DFX film coated tablets. MethodsWe conducted a case control study on 57 transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients with a mean age of 15.3 years who received DFX FCT as monotherapy for at least one consecutive year, and 57 healthy age and sex-matching controls. Comprehensive audiological evaluations using pure tone audiometry (PTA) and transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) as well as vestibular evaluation using Video-nystagmography (VNG) were done. ResultsSNHL was identified in 12 patients (21.1 %) using PTA and a statistically significant difference was detected between controls and patients at 6 KHz and 12 KHz frequencies. A higher incidence of SNHL was detected using TEOAE, 22 patients (43.1 %) failed to pass TEOAE, with a statistically significant decrease in the signal at frequencies 1, 4 KHz bilaterally and at frequencies 1.5, 2 KHz in the right ear compared to controls. Canal paresis was detected in 21 (36.8 %) of thalassemic children using bithermal caloric test with significantly more unilateral weakness than control children (P = 0.008). We found no significant correlation between audio-vestibular dysfunction and age, sex, serum ferritin, frequency of blood transfusion and dose of DFX FCT in thalassemic children. ConclusionWe conclude that the incidence of SNHL and vestibular dysfunction was high among transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients. Therefore, we recommend performing pre-treatment baseline audio-vestibular assessment and yearly audio-vestibular monitoring to early detect high risk patients and initiate timely management to prevent permanent damage.

Evaluation of hearing levels in Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever with audiological and electrophysiological tests

Objective : Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease, and Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) arises from pathologies in the cochlea or retrocochlear pathways. Viral infections, including Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever , are considered possible etiological factors for Sensorineural Hearing Loss, as endothelial damage in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever may impair inner ear blood flow. This study aimed to differentiate between cochlear and retrocochlear hearing loss in patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and assess the reliability of Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) testing by comparing its results with pure-tone audiometry. Material and method: The study included 30 Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever patients (Group CCHF) and 30 healthy controls (Group C). Hearing measurements were conducted using pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry, and Auditory Steady-State Response before the patients’ discharge. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: The results showed no significant difference in audiometric thresholds between the right and left ears of Group CCHF at various frequencies. However, Auditory Steady-State Response results at 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz in the right ear and at all tested frequencies in the left ear revealed significant differences between groups (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: While this study did not establish a clear link between Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Sensorineural Hearing Loss, it suggests the need for further research with larger samples and testing during both the active and recovery phases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever. Key words: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever; audiometry; otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry; auditory steady state response; hearing loss.

Potential application value of pigment epithelium-derived factor in sensorineural hearing loss.

The inner ear is a complex and precise auditory perception system responsible for receiving and converting sound signals into neural signals, enabling us to perceive and understand sound. However, the occurrence and development of inner ear diseases and auditory disorders, such as sensorineural hearing loss, remain a global problem. In recent years, there has been increasing research on the treatment of inner ear diseases and auditory regeneration. Among these treatments, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), as a multifunctional secretory protein, exhibits diverse biological activities and functions through various mechanisms, and has shown potential applications in the inner ear. This minireview comprehensively evaluates the performance of PEDF in sensorineural hearing loss in inner ear and its potential targets and therapeutic prospects.

Automated ABR screening for hearing loss and its clinical determinants among newborns with hyperbilirubinemia in National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a known risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss which is usually undiagnosed in our environment until school age due to a lack of routine screening programs. This cross-sectional study conducted between August 2020 and February 2021 employed a universal sampling of consecutive eligible participants after their mothers' consent. Hearing screening was conducted using an automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) device (Otoport OAE + ABR®). The proportion of AABR screening failure was assessed while associated clinical risk factors were determined using logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at 5% for all comparative analyses. One hundred and sixty newborns below 28 days of age, delivered at 34 weeks gestation and above, who had jaundice were recruited. The prevalence of screening AABR failure in at least one ear was 26.2%. Significant risk factors for AABR screening failure in addition to extreme and hazardous hyperbilirubinemia were acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) (Odds Ratio (OR) =4.44, 95% CI = 3.19-6.17), birth weight below 2500 g (OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.48-6.77), dull tympanic membrane (TM) (OR = 5.94, 95% CI = 2.36-14.92) and exchange blood transfusion (OR = 4.84, 95% CI = 1.87-12.58). The prevalence of AABR screening failure was high, and a dull TM was its strongest predictor among late preterm and term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Otoscopy should be included in the care of newborn with hyperbilirubinemia and screening programs established to mitigate hearing loss among high-risk neonates in Abuja.

Comparison of Hearing Abnormalities in Non-Diabetic and Diabetic End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background and Aim: Hearing loss is a highly prevalent symptom in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Comorbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus is known as the most common cause of CKD and a significant risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to compare SNHL among diabetic with non-diabetic hemodialysis patients.&#x0D; Methods: In this study, 33 diabetic patients on hemodialysis were selected from Hami center, Arak, Iran. Non-diabetic subjects were 31 hemodialysis patients without diabetes were matched for age, duration of CKD and hemodialysis. Data were obtained via questionnaire, patients’ files, physical examination, otoscopy and tympanometry. Hearing was analyzed using pure-tone audiometry for both groups.&#x0D; Results: In the study, 66.2% of diabetic patients and 52.1% of non-diabetic subjects had SNHL. Results showed that diabetic patient has 1.3 times more likely to have hearing impairment. This difference was not statistically significant. Bilateral mild SNHL was the most prevalent in both groups. No significant difference was reported in SNHL prevalence, mean thresholds of hearing and ear laterality between the groups. Gender and age had a significant effect on hearing loss after adjusting covariables. No significant association was found between diabetes and hearing loss.&#x0D; Conclusion: SNHL was more common in hemodialysis patients with diabetes. Patients with diabetes had poorer hearing thresholds compared to non-diabetic group, with no significant difference between groups. The periodical assessment of hearing and extending audiological care in this high-risk population is recommended due to long-term irreversible symptoms of the disease.&#x0D; Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; hearing loss; end-stage renal disease

Risk Factors for Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Auditory Maturation in Children Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Who Recovered?

Background: Newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at higher risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which may improve over time. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of the main risk factors for SNHL in a NICU cohort, focusing on children who underwent auditory maturation. Methods: An observational study of 378 children admitted to NICUs, who were followed for at least 18 months, with periodic audiologic assessments. Results: Out of 378 patients, 338 had normal hearing and 40 were hearing-impaired; we found a higher percentage of extremely preterm (EPT) and extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants in SNHL children (p < 0.05). Seventeen infants presented auditory improvement, with a mean maturation time of 6.17 months. A significant difference emerged between patients with stable SNHL and those who improved only in the case of hyperbilirubinemia (p = 0.005). The initial hearing threshold was a predictor of auditory improvement and moderately correlated to the time of auditory maturation (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Our study supports the trend toward recognizing worse prognoses and slower maturation processes among NICU children who suffer from severe to profound SNHL. Caution must be taken when deciding on earlier cochlear implantation.

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

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A US Population Study.

The goal of this study is to determine if chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in a national database. Cross-sectional study. National sample of the United States population. Adults with audiometric and spirometry data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) database. None. A total of 2,464 adults with spirometry and audiometry data from the NHANES database (2009-2012) were studied. Outcome measures included hearing, measured by high-frequency pure tone average (HFPTA; 3, 4, 6, 8 kHz) and low-frequency pure tone average (LFPTA; .5, 1, 2 kHz) frequencies. SNHL was defined as a HFPTA or LFPTA threshold more than 25 decibels (dB) in the better ear. Multivariable regression analyses explored the association between hearing loss and COPD. The prevalence of COPD was 19.8% in individuals with SNHL in the better ear and 4.7% in individuals with normal hearing (p < 0.001). Presence of COPD was associated with elevated hearing thresholds (worse hearing) at each individual frequency. The presence of COPD was independently associated with a 3.29 dB (95% CI: 1.48, 5.09) increase in HFPTA (p < 0.001), and 2.32 dB (1.13, 3.50) increase in LFPTA (p < 0.001) after controlling for medical, social, and environmental covariates. The presence of COPD was independently associated with a 1.85-fold (1.12, 3.06) increased odds of isolated low-frequency SNHL (p = 0.017). COPD was independently associated with sensorineural hearing loss after controlling for multiple confounding factors. These results contribute to the evidence that COPD and pulmonary dysfunction can be comorbid with hearing decline.

Ulcerative colitis may be a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, idiopathic, relapsing, inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal system, which includes two different diseases, namely ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn's disease (CD). Inner ear involvement of IBD, which causes sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is acute and bilateral and arises in a short period of weeks to months in the active period of the disease.&#x0D; Methods: The present study included 53 IBD patients and 20 healthy control patients who were followed up in the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital between January and May 2020 and accepted to participate in the study. Tympanometry, otoscopy, and audiometry examinations were performed.&#x0D; Results: There was no significant difference in terms of gender and age between the IBD and control groups. While there was no significant difference in air and bone conduction in both ears in patients with CD, there was a significant difference between both conductions in UC (p: 0.0001 in the left ear, p: 0.004 in the right ear). SNHL was detected in 45.2% (n:14) of UC patients and 13.6% (n:3) of CD patients in audiometry. Three of our UC patients had moderate, one had moderately severe, and one had profound hearing loss. &#x0D; Conclusion: SNHL has been detected in a significant number of UC patients. Also, the hearing functions deteriorate significantly as the age of the patients and the duration of the disease increases. It should be recommended to evaluate UC patients over 40 years of age and with the long-term disease for SNHL.

Neonatal Asphyxia as a Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Indonesian Children

Background: Neonatal Asphyxia is one of the risk factors for hearing loss in children. Neonatal Asphyxiacauses cochlear damage due to lack of oxygenation and tissue perfusion which can lead to cell death.Objective: Determining the risk of Neonatal Asphyxia for the occurrence of sensorineural hearing lossin children. Methods: A case control study was done between July to September 2020. Children withsensorineural hearing loss are on study group and the control group is children with normal hearing.Participants were measured for previous labor history based on medical records that confirmed asphyxia.Participants were also examined for DPOAE and ABR / BERA. The measurement results were analyzedusing the Chi-Square test, which was significant if p &lt;0.05. Results: Most participants aged 2-3 yearsexperienced hearing loss (65.96%) and normal (68.08%; p = 0.835). Participants of sensorineural hearingloss with Neonatal Asphyxia (57.4%) were more than non- Neonatal Asphyxia (42.6%; OR = 1.82; 95% CI0.81 - 4.13; p = 0.149). Conclusion: Neonatal Asphyxia increases the risk of sensorineural hearing loss by1.82 times compared to children without Neonatal Asphyxia.

Importance of TORCH Profile in Hearing Impaired Paediatric Population Planned for Cochlear Implant: A Study From an Eastern India Tertiary Care Centre.

TORCH group of infections are one of the most common causes of bilateral profound hearing loss in a developing country like ours. Seroprevalance is quite high in eastern part of our country. Screening for TORCH infections in children's with profound hearing loss has significant prognostic, planning and policy forming implications. To evaluate the seroprevalance of TORCH infections in prospective cochlear implant children and its significance. Ours is a retrospective study conducted from 2017 to 2018 on 50 children with bilateral profound hearing loss attending the Department of ENT at AIIMS, Patna. Thorough clinical and audiological assessment of the patients was done using objective tests like OAE (otoacoustic emission), ABR (auditory brainstem response) and subjective tests like BOA(behavioural audiometry) and PTA (puretone audiometry) wherever feasible. Blood samples were collected and serotesting was done using ELISA for Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (TORCH). We found that IgM was negative for all patients. Seroprevalance for IgG was 16.3% for toxoplasma, 74.4% for rubella, 69.8% for CMV and 20.9% for HSV. All the children had bilateral severe to profound loss on ABR and bilateral REFER on OAE. As prevalence of TORCH infection is quite common in India and is an established risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss with multisystem involvement screening for the same will help in early identification and in decision making for cochlear implantation thus improving the prognosis and also aid in policy making.

Prevalence of otitis media and risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants attending routine well-baby clinics in urban and rural/remote Samoa: a study protocol

Background The World Health Organization recommends newborn and infant hearing screening programs for all member states to enable early detection and intervention for children with hearing loss. Ear and hearing services are limited in the Pacific Islands, a region with one of the highest global rates of ear disease and hearing loss. Given that a significant proportion of childhood hearing loss is preventable through public health measures, collaboration with existing primary and public health platforms should reduce the prevalence of avoidable ear and hearing disorders among infants and young children. Previous work has investigated an infant ear and hearing program for child welfare clinics in an urban Pacific Island setting. The present study will build on this previous work by investigating the possibility of an Infant Ear and Hearing Program in a different Pacific Island country, and performing comparisons between urban and rural/remote populations. Methods and analysis We propose a cross-sectional study of infants attending well-baby clinics in urban (Apia), rural (Upolu), and remote (Savai’i) Samoa. All participating infants will undergo an ear examination of both ears, and as assessment of risk factors for permanent hearing loss. Ethics and and conclusions We publish these protocols to facilitate similar studies in other low- and middle-Income countries, and especially among our Pacific Island neighbours. We anticipate that 25% of infants will present with ear pathology in at least one ear, and that 25% of infants will present with at least one risk factor for permanent hearing loss. This study was approved by the Government of Samoa Ministry of Health Ethical Research Committee and the University of Queensland Medical Ethics Research Committee.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Sirtuins: Important Targets in Hearing Loss

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested to be a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) induced by aging, noise, ototoxic drugs, and gene. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mainly derived from mitochondria, and oxidative stress induced by ROS contributes to cochlear damage as well as mitochondrial DNA mutations, which may enhance the sensitivity and severity of hearing loss and disrupt ion homeostasis (e.g., Ca2+ homeostasis). The formation and accumulation of ROS further undermine mitochondrial components and ultimately lead to apoptosis and necrosis. SIRT3–5, located in mitochondria, belong to the family of sirtuins, which are highly conserved deacetylases dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). These deacetylases regulate diverse cellular biochemical activities. Recent studies have revealed that mitochondrial sirtuins, especially SIRT3, modulate ROS levels in hearing loss pathologies. Although the precise functions of SIRT4 and SIRT5 in the cochlea remain unclear, the molecular mechanisms in other tissues indicate a potential protective effect against hearing loss. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in hearing loss, discuss possible functional links between mitochondrial sirtuins and SNHL, and propose a perspective that SIRT3–5 have a positive effect on SNHL.

U0126 pretreatment inhibits cisplatin-induced apoptosis and autophagy in HEI-OC1 cells and cochlear hair cells

Deafness is the most common sensory disorder in the world. Ototoxic drugs are common inducing factors of sensorineural hearing loss, and cochlear hair cell (HC) damage is the main concern of the present studies. Cisplatin is a widely used, highly effective antitumor drug, but some patients have experienced irreversible hearing loss as a result of its application. This hearing loss is closely related to HC apoptosis and autophagy. U0126 is a specific inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway and has neuroprotective effects. For example, the neuroprotective effect of U0126 on ischemic stroke has been widely recognized. In neural cells, U0126 can prevent death due to excess glutamate, dopamine, or zinc ions. However, no studies of U0126 and ototoxic drug-induced injury have been reported to date. In the present study, we found that U0126 pretreatment significantly reduced the apoptosis and autophagy of HCs in auditory House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells and cochlear HCs. In addition, U0126 reduced the cisplatin-induced production of reactive oxygen species as well as the cisplatin-induced decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings suggest that U0126 may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Programmed cell death pathways in hearing loss: A review of apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis.

Programmed cell death (PCD)—apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis—is any pathological form of cell death mediated by intracellular processes. Ototoxic drugs, ageing and noise exposure are some common pathogenic factors of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) that can induce the programmed death of auditory hair cells through different pathways, and eventually lead to the loss of hair cells. Furthermore, several mutations in apoptotic genes including DFNA5, DFNA51 and DFNB74 have been suggested to be responsible for the new functional classes of monogenic hearing loss (HL). Therefore, in this review, we elucidate the role of these three forms of PCD in different types of HL and discuss their guiding significance for HL treatment. We believe that further studies of PCD pathways are necessary to understand the pathogenesis of HL and guide scientists and clinicians to identify new drug targets for HL treatment.

Atorvastatin prevents hearing impairment in the presence of hyperlipidemia

It is known that hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss. However, the biological mechanisms underlying hyperlipidemia and hearing impairment have not been completely elucidated in the cochlea. Based on our previous study of human subjects, elderly people taking drugs for hyperlipidemia showed better hearing than those not taking any medications. We hypothesized that drugs for hyperlipidemia, such as statins, may have the potential to prevent hearing impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between hyperlipidemia and hearing impairment and the hearing preservation effect of atorvastatin using a hyperlipidemic mouse model with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here, we demonstrate that DIO mice had a significant hearing impairment as well as increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hair cell death due to reduced levels of pAKT and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). However, these changes were significantly prevented by atorvastatin. Oxidative stress-induced intrinsic apoptosis was decreased by the high expression of Nrf2 and antioxidant genes, which improved mitochondrial function and ROS via activation of the PI3K-pAKT pathway by atorvastatin. Therefore, atorvastatin has the potential to prevent hearing impairment via redox balance in the presence of hyperlipidemia.

Open-angle Glaucoma and Sensorineural Hearing Impairment in the Korean Population

ABSTRACT Purpose This study identifies the prevalence and risk factors of sensorineural hearing loss and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Materials and methods Patients aged 19 years or older who had undergone both ophthalmologic examination and audiometry as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010–2012) were analyzed. Hearing loss was defined as the pure-tone average over 40 decibels based on the automatic hearing test to determine the threshold of airway hearing for each frequency. We investigated the prevalence of glaucoma and hearing loss when they occurred alone or simultaneously. The risk factors for concurrent glaucoma and hearing loss were examined. Result Among the participants, 6.6% had hearing loss alone, 2.3% had glaucoma alone, and 0.5% had both glaucoma and hearing loss. The weighted prevalence of glaucoma in patients with hearing loss was 7.5%; however, the weighted prevalence of glaucoma was 3.2% among patients without hearing loss, with a significant difference (P < .001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors associated with concurrent glaucoma and hearing loss were age (3.786 times per 10 years, P < .001) and triglyceride level (1.002 times per 1 mg/dL, P = .028). Conclusion Sensorineural hearing loss and POAG are relevant. If hearing impairment and visual impairment occur together, the quality of life of the patient is worsened and the social burden is greater. Therefore, care should be taken when treating elderly patients with glaucoma.

Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adult Patients with Turner Syndrome.

Background and purposeMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The frequency of each component of MetS in Turner syndrome (TS) subjects is high. An elevated incidence of hearing loss has also been reported in TS. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects at least half of young women with TS. The association between MetS and SNHL has not been previously considered in TS. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between these two conditions.Patients and MethodsCross-sectional anthropometric, cardio-metabolic and audiological data were obtained from a cohort consisting of unrelated TS subjects (>20 years of age; n = 93). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Types and severity of hearing loss were based on the American Speech Hearing Association guidelines.ResultsHearing loss was detected in 74% of ears from adult TS subjects and SNHL was observed in half of our TS subjects. The prevalence of MetS in TS subjects with or without SNHL was 64% and 11%, respectively (P < 0.05). After adjusting for age, MetS was related to a ninefold increase in the odds of SNHL. This odds increased in a stepwise manner as the number of MetS components increased.ConclusionMetS and its individual components were associated factors for SNHL in TS subjects. A reduction in the number and severity of the components of MetS might potentially contribute to decreasing the progression of SNHL at younger ages, but further studies will be needed to explain the underlying pathological mechanism connecting MetS and SNHL.