Audiometric Evaluation of the Relationship between Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Chronic Glaucoma

Abstract

Objectives: To assess hearing function in chronic glaucoma patients in comparison to healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 24 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients (24 ears) and 22 pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEG) patients (22 ears) who were followed for at least 5 years in the Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Ophthalmology Department, as well as 21 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (21 ears, control group). Following a thorough ophthalmological examination that included visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurements, as well as anterior and posterior slit-lamp biomicroscopy, audiometry was performed in all participants to determine hearing function. Results: Mean ages in the POAG, PEG, and control groups were 64.50±7, 66.90±4.51, and 64.38±4.36 years, respectively. The mean deviation in standard automated perimetry was -14.47±2.89 in the POAG group and -15.02±2.87 in the PEG group (p=0.306). When compared with the control group, the POAG group had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 500 (p=0.011) and 1,000 Hz (p=0.003), while the PEG group had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 250 (p=0.009), 500 (p=0.009), 1,000 (p=0.001), 2,000 (p=0.005), 4,000 (p=0.001), 8000 (p=0.010), and 10,000 Hz (p=0.009). Conclusion: Both glaucoma and hearing loss are common chronic diseases that have an impact on the well-being of older people. Potential hearing problems in chronic glaucoma patients make routine ocular and otolaryngology examinations in older patients critical for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Glaucoma, Pseudoexfoliation and Hearing Loss: A Systematic Literature Review

“…More recently, Gülyeşil et al compared HL in XFG, POAG and age–sex matched controls. XFG patients had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 kHz ( p < 0.05) compared to controls and higher hearing threshold at 8 kHz compared to the POAG group ( p = 0.002) [ 75 ].…”

“…As previously mentioned, Gülyeşil FF et al compared HL in the POAG, XFG and control groups, indicating that hearing thresholds were higher in the POAG and XFG groups compared to control group [ 75 ]. In particular, POAG patients had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 0.5 kHz ( p = 0.011) and 1 kHz ( p = 0.003) compared to the control group [ 75 ].…”

“…As previously mentioned, Gülyeşil FF et al compared HL in the POAG, XFG and control groups, indicating that hearing thresholds were higher in the POAG and XFG groups compared to control group [ 75 ]. In particular, POAG patients had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 0.5 kHz ( p = 0.011) and 1 kHz ( p = 0.003) compared to the control group [ 75 ]. This study showed a considerably higher probability of SNHL in POAG and XFG patients compared to controls, suggesting the need of routine otolaryngology examinations in older patients with POAG and XFG [ 75 ].…”

“…In particular, POAG patients had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 0.5 kHz ( p = 0.011) and 1 kHz ( p = 0.003) compared to the control group [ 75 ]. This study showed a considerably higher probability of SNHL in POAG and XFG patients compared to controls, suggesting the need of routine otolaryngology examinations in older patients with POAG and XFG [ 75 ].…”

“…The association between pseudoexfoliation, glaucoma and hearing loss is not yet fully understood, and more studies are required to elucidate the underlying common pathogenetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, both glaucoma and HL are prevalent and chronic conditions that affect quality of life in the elderly, and most studies in our SLR suggested their association [ 75 ]. Understanding the relationship between these two conditions could potentially lead to more targeted and effective management of individuals with XFS, glaucoma and comorbid sensorineural hearing loss.…”