Assessment of Audiologic Evaluation in Patients with Acquired Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder resulting from deficiency of thyroid hormone or, more rarely, from their impaired activity at tissue level. In its clinically overt form, hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition, with an approximate prevalence of 2% in adult women and 0.2% in adult men. Deficiency of the hormone has a wide range of effects, because all metabolically active cells require thyroid hormone. Aim of the study is to determine the incidence of deafness in patients suffering from goiterous hypothyroidism exclusively and to evaluate the role of Lthyroxine therapy in improving the hearing in this group of patients. In this study, two groups were included: a hypothyroidism group (HG, n-30), and a control group (CG, n-30). Parameters studied: gender, time of hypothyroidism, comorbidities, cochleovestibular symptoms, biochemistry and hormonal exams (TSH, T4), tonal audiometry, TOAEs and BERA. All participants were women, 70% of the HG had Hashimoto thyroiditis, and 60% of the HG had had the diagnostic of the hypothyroidism for at least five years. Depression and hypertension were frequent in HG. All HG patients had altered TSH values and 50% had diminished T4 values. Sensorineural hearing loss was detected in 22 ears from the HG and in seven from the CG.

Acquired hypothyroidism, iodine status and hearing impairment in adults: a pilot study

“…In comparison to some other studies [6, 22, 5] we can just speculate on the divergent results. Most of the studies were done in the past, and recent studies are mostly from India and the Middle East [26, 42, 43]. This geographical variation could introduce several confounding factors, including the prevalence of occupational noise exposure, preventable infections such as chronic otitis media and meningitis, nutritional status and health-care access.…”

“…In agreement with previous studies, we observed mostly mild and only two cases with moderate hearing impairments in both hypothyroid and control groups. In later studies, hearing examinations were usually more detailed than thyroid testing and evaluations of iodine status [6, 42, 26]. Some other nutritional factors such as single nutrients (vitamin A, B, C, D and E, and zinc, Mg, Se, iodine, and iron) are associated with hearing status.…”

“…One case also had a deterioration in hearing [23]. In contrast, some studies have shown no hearing impairment in hypothyroid patients [24, 25] and others have not supported associations between hearing impairment and thyroid hormone levels in hypothyroid patients [26, 27].…”