Effects of primary arterial hypertension on cochlear function

Abstract

Background

Hypertension (HT) is one of the most common chronic diseases. The existing literature on HT and hearing contains conflicting results, and no consensus has been reached yet.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate cochlear function in hypertensive and normotensive groups.

Methods

This study was conducted on 34 patients with primary HT and 17 healthy adults. The Cochlear function was assessed with conventional audiometry (0.125–8 kHz), ultra-high frequency audiometry (10–16 kHz), the transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) test, and the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) test.

Results

Hearing thresholds at 8, 10, 12.5, 14, and 16 kHz were significantly poorer in the HT group than in the control group (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the mean conventional thresholds between the groups. Compared to the control group, the patient group exhibited statistically significant lower amplitudes of TEOAE and DPOAE.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated significantly poorer high-frequency hearing and lower otoacoustic emission amplitudes for adults with HT. Impairment in hearing thresholds associated with HT begins at ultra-high frequencies in the cochlea. HT may be a potential risk factor for the development of hearing loss; therefore, individuals with HT should be screened for auditory function.

Chinese abstract

背景：高血压（HT）是最常见的慢性病之一。在现有的关于HT和听力的资料中, 结果相互矛盾, 尚未达成共识。

目的：本研究旨在探讨高血压和正常血压人群的耳蜗功能。

方法：本研究针对34例原发性HT患者和17例健康成人进行。耳蜗功能的评估通过常规听力测验（0.125–8 kHz）、超高频听力测验（10–16 kHz）、瞬态诱发耳声发射（TEOAE）测试和失真产物耳声发射（DPOAE）测试来进行。

结果：HT组的8、10、12.5、14和16 kHz的听力阈值明显低于对照组（p <.05）。两组之间的常规平均阈值无显著差异。与对照组相比, 患者组显示统计学意义上较低的TEOAE和DPOAE振幅。

结论：这项研究表明, 成年HT的高频听力明显较差, 耳声发射幅度较低。与HT相关的听力阈值受损始于耳蜗的超高频率。 HT可能是导致听力损失的潜在危险因素；因此, 应筛查HT患者的听觉功能。

Keywords:

• Hypertension
• cochlear function
• audiology
• hearing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).