Association of Iron Deficiency Anemia With Hearing Loss in US Adults

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Hearing loss in the US adult population is linked to hospitalization, poorer self-reported health, hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco use. As iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common and easily correctable condition, further understanding the association between IDA and all types of hearing loss in a population of United States adults may help open new possibilities for early identification and appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and conductive hearing loss (CHL) and IDA in adults aged 21–90 years in the United States. DESIGN The prevalence of IDA and hearing loss (ICD-9 codes 389.1 (SNHL), 389.0 (conductive hearing loss), and 389 (combined hearing loss)) were identified in this retrospective cohort study. IDA was determined by low hemoglobin and ferritin levels for age and sex. Associations between hearing loss and IDA were evaluated using Chi squared test. Logistic regression modeled the risk of hearing loss among those with IDA. SETTING Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA. PARTICIPANTS Adults 21–90 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hearing loss RESULTS Out of 305,339 patients in the study population, there was a 1.6% (n=4,807) prevalence of hearing loss and 0.8% (n=2,274) prevalence of IDA. Both SNHL and presence of combined hearing loss was significantly associated with IDA. Logistic regression confirmed increased odds of SNHL (adjusted OR 1.82 [95% CI 1.18–2.66]) and combined hearing loss (adjusted OR 2.41 [95% CI 1.90–3.01]) among adults with IDA, after adjusting for sex. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE IDA was associated with SNHL and combined hearing loss in a population of adult patients. Further research is needed to better understand the potential links between IDA and hearing loss, and whether screening and treatment of IDA in adults could have clinical implications in patients with hearing loss.

How do we manage iron deficiency after blood donation?

“…The newest reported association of ID is with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Reported with IDA, the mechanism is unknown, but, in animal models, sudden SNHL is the result of cochlear defects, possibly ischemic in nature (Chung et al , ; Schieffer et al , ,b).…”

Association of anemia with sensorineural hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Existing evidence showed IDA linked to hearing loss. A higher prevalence of hearing loss was reported in individuals with IDA [15, 16]. The exact mechanism of IDA leading to hearing loss is mainly unclear.…”

“…Cochlea is supplied only by the labyrinthine artery. The lack of collateral circulation could make it more vulnerable to the ischemic effect of IDA [15–19]. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis report on the association of anemia and hearing impairment.…”

Interplay between Nutrition and Hearing Loss: State of Art

“…The influence of iron levels in HL is not only important in the pediatric population. Therefore, different studies have been carried out in Taiwanese [124] and American [131] adult populations that evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and sudden SNHL, which is characterized by a rapid deterioration of hearing function that takes place in less than 72 h. Consistent results indicating a significant relationship between these parameters were found by Chung et al [132] and Schieffer et al [131]; noteworthy, SNHL was more severe in individuals under 60 years [124]. However, the underlying mechanism of this association is unclear, although it is thought to be caused by the exacerbation of vascular problems due to iron deficiency anaemia.…”