The Relationship Between Hearing Thresholds and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to investigate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hearing thresholds.Material/MethodsForty women diagnosed with PCOS (mean age, 24.33±6.38 years) and 40 healthy women controls (mean age, 26.38±6.75 years) were included in prospective study. Each case was tested with low (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz), high (4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz) and extended high (EH) (9000–20000 Hz) frequency audiometry. The fasting plasma glucose, insulin, FSH, LH, total testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured in all patients.ResultsThe mean hearing thresholds at EH frequencies were statistically significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p=0.001 right ear and p=0.015 left ear). There were significant positive correlations among free testosterone index (FTI) values and hirsutism scores with EH frequency hearing thresholds.ConclusionsAt pure-tone audiometry (PTA) EH frequencies, we detected significantly higher hearing thresholds in PCOS patients than in controls. We also determined that elevated FTI and hirsutism score were positively correlated with elevated hearing thresholds in EH frequencies. These findings support that hyperandrogenism can play a role in the elevation of hearing thresholds in PCOS.

Sex Differences in the Triad of Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss

“…From a clinical perspective, the polycystic ovarian syndrome women with higher testosterone (one of the most potent androgen) presented significantly higher hearing thresholds at higher frequencies than controls. However, the above studies only included female participants and the luteinizing hormone, insulin, and other hormones could also influence their results [ 129 , 130 , 131 ]. In contrast, male patients with hypogonadism disorders such as Kallmann syndrome or Cogan syndrome were reported with sensorineural hearing loss but their hearing loss mostly has been attributed to genetic mutations rather than to testosterone deficiency only [ 132 ].…”

Study Highlights Impact of Smoking on Hearing Loss Among Workers Exposed to Noise

“…All men who worked eight hours a day for five days a week while exposed to 85 dBA or higher were included in the study (n=354). A number of 81 workers with a long working experience in a noisy environment, long time use of hands-free devices (such as hands-free mobile phones and headphones), otitis media, heart and neurological disorders, thyroid gland disorders, hyperlipidemia as well as diabetes, head injury, and consumption of drugs affecting hearing system according previous studies27,28 were excluded.…”

Sex Hormones and Inner Ear

“…Additionally, testosterone in serum increased neural thresholds in females in a frequency-specific way [29]. And hyperandrogenism may be responsible for the elevation of hearing threshold, particularly in the high frequency, in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome [30][31][32]. On the contrary, hyperandrogenism did not seem to affect otoacoustic emission levels or the medial olivocochlear reflex response in adult female subjects [33].…”