Functional and structural evaluation of hearing in acromegaly

Abstract

Summary Context The impact of acromegaly on the auditory system remains unknown. Objective This study aimed to examine audiological symptoms and the structure and function of the auditory system in patients with acromegaly. Design/Setting and Patients The study included 44 patients with acromegaly. Pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions testing, computerized tomography of the temporal bone and magnetic resonance imaging of the ear were performed in all patients. The study also included 36 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. The patients with acromegaly were divided into three subgroups, as follows: controlled disease (n = 13); partially controlled disease (n = 16); uncontrolled disease (n = 15). Results In all, 43% of the patients with acromegaly had hearing loss, and 20% had had an episode of otitis in at least one ear. Median pure tone average (PTA) in the patients with acromegaly was 12.5 dB (range: 2–72 dB), vs 8.3 dB (range: 0–20 dB) in the control group (P < 0.001). PTA did not differ significantly between the three patient subgroups. Audiometric tests showed various degrees of hearing loss in at least one ear in 21 patients (48%). Conductive, sensorineural and mixed type hearing loss in at least one ear was noted in 9%, 30% and 18% of the patients, respectively. Auditory imaging showed that 50% of the patients had temporomandibular joint degeneration (TMJD). Conclusions Hearing loss is quite common in patients with acromegaly. Contrary to common belief, in this study, conductive hearing loss did not occur more frequently than other types. Based on PTA findings in the controls and patients with acromegaly, acromegaly caused hearing loss, but the level of disease activity had no effect on hearing. Middle ear pressure problems might be caused by increased perilymph because of growth hormone (GH)‐related volume overload.

Perda auditiva sensorioneural em pacientes com acromegalia em tratamento

“…Aydin et al 14 found a HL prevalence of 48%; 30% sensorineural; however, they used PTA > 15 DBHL as criterion, more sensitive than what was used in the present study.…”

“…Aydin et al 14 published recently the results from functional and structural assessment of hearing in a group of 44 patients. Besides the audiometry and impedance measures, they also carried out MRI of the ear.…”

Hearing Loss in Acromegaly - A Review

“…Aydin et al (2012) 6 conducted a study to profile the audiological and structural function in patients with acromegaly. The evaluated group was composed of 44 patients with acromegaly and 36 healthy patients.…”

“…Graham and Brackmann observed hypertrophy of the mastoid cortical bone and posterior bony wall in three patients with acromegaly during middle ear surgery. 6 …”

Endocrine glands and hearing: Auditory manifestations of various endocrine and metabolic conditions

“…[2] In addition, hearing loss may be caused by middle ear pressure dysregulation, sclerosis of mastoid, recurrent otitis, plaque formation, and GH excess associated increase in perilymph formation. [3]…”