Association between Sleep Duration and Presbycusis in Korean Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Background: Sleep duration is associated with hearing loss, especially presbycusis, which is the most common type of hearing loss; however, there is limited evidence regarding this association among the Korean population. We aimed to determine the relationship between sleep duration and high-frequency hearing loss in Korean adults aged ≥40 years.Methods: We examined 5,547 Korean adults aged ≥40 years who completed audiometric tests and questionnaires regarding sleep duration during the 2010–2012 cycle of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Mild presbycusis was defined as >25 decibels (dB) and <40 dB, whereas moderate-to-severe presbycusis was defined as >40 dB pure tone averages at high frequencies (3,000, 4,000, and 6,000 Hz) for both ears. Additionally, the sleep duration was divided into quartiles. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for covariates.Results: The prevalence of presbycusis in South Korean adults was 62.1%, of which 61.4% showed moderate to severe presbycusis. The incidence of moderate-to-severe, but not mild, presbycusis showed a significant positive correlation with sleep duration.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sleep duration is associated with the prevalence of presbycusis.

Age-related hearing loss and its potential drug candidates: a systematic review

“…Higher intakes of sugary foods, high-calorie beverages, and beer were associated with an increased risk of ARHL [ 71 ], but higher intakes of seeds and nuts, fruits, and seaweed, and higher intakes of riboflavin, niacin, and retinol could reduce the incidence of ARHL in the Korean population [ 72 , 73 ]. In Korean adult ARHL patients, the incidence rate of moderate to severe (but not mild) ARHL is significantly positively correlated with sleep duration [ 74 ]. Additionally, other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, elevated serum cholesterol, and other conditions have a strong link to ARHL [ 75 ].…”