Obesity is associated with sensorineural hearing loss in adolescents

Abstract

We demonstrate for the first time that obesity in childhood is associated with higher hearing thresholds across all frequencies and an almost 2-fold increase in the odds of unilateral low-frequency hearing loss. These results add to the growing literature on obesity-related health disturbances and also add to the urgency in instituting public health measures to reduce it.

Atherogenic Risk Factors and Hearing Thresholds

“…However, studies exploring the direct association between atherogenic risk factors and hearing loss show inconsistent findings: dyslipidemia in terms of elevated levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) have shown mainly adverse effects on hearing ability [Gates et al, 1993;Suzuki et al, 2000;Shargorodsky et al, 2010] but a gainful effect of high total cholesterol level has also been reported [Jones and Davis, 2000]. A relation between hearing ability and diabetes-related measures has been reported in several studies [Austin et al, 2009;Jang et al, 2011;Akinpelu et al, 2014], which is also the case for smoking [Fransen et al, 2008;Shargorodsky et al, 2010] and high BMI [Fransen et al, 2008;Lalwani et al, 2013]. Other studies, however, have shown conflicting results for these factors [Gates et al, 1993;Shargorodsky et al, 2010].…”

Relationship between obesity and hearing loss

“…For example, recent studies have reported that higher BMI and larger waist circumference were related to an increased risk of hearing loss [5]. A study of adolescents aged 12-19 years found a relationship between obesity and higher hearing thresholds at all frequencies [6]. Other studies, however, have found no association between obesity and increasing risk of hearing loss [7].…”

Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Young Adults With Bmi of 25 or More

“…8 Reduced blood supply to cochlea, whether due to micro-vascular or macrovascular compromise, can lead to capillary constriction within the stria vascularis, cell death, and poorer hearing sensitivity. 7 In a study conducted by Anil K. Lalwani et al, it is observed that obesity in childhood is associated with higher hearing thresholds across all frequencies, particularly more in lower frequencies 2 . Another study conducted by Sameer Ahmed et al, demonstrated that obesity has a notable relationship with the presence and degree of hearing loss in adolescents, particularly in the high frequencies.…”

“…1 A BMI of 25 or greater is a significant health problem associated with a variety of disorders and in adults it has been found to be a risk factor for hearing loss. 2 Acquired hearing loss is a highly prevalent disabling chronic condition, which can impair communication, social interaction, and adversely affect psychosocial well-being and quality of life. 3 Therefore identification of potentially modifiable risk factors for hearing loss is a compelling public health goal.…”