Abstract

Background: The ability to communicate is a crucial aspect of human life and auditory sense is very important for communication of any kind. It has been hypothesized that hypertension is an independent risk factor for hearing loss is arterial hypertension. It is hypothesised that hypertension causes the degeneration of inner ear due to alteration in microcirculation. This study is undertaken to identify the role of hypertension in auditory acuity.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the association between high blood pressure and hearing function, after excluding the influence of noise pollution on hearing impairment and to see the association of duration of hypertension with hearing impairment, by performing pure tone audiometric tests on normotensives and hypertensives.

Materials and Methods: 50 hypertensives visiting Hesaraghatta PHC and 50 normotensives residing in the same area were chosen for the study. After selecting the subjects from appropriate inclusion-exclusion criteria, informed consent was taken. Then blood pressure was measured followed by audiometric assessment for hearing acuity in each using standard guidelines. The results were compiled and statistically analysed.

Results: Hypertensives have a higher threshold in all frequencies for both air conduction and bone conduction. Significant P-values were found in both ears for all frequencies in both air conduction and bone conduction in both ears. Thresholds are increased but were within normal limits since cases are on treatment, resulting in mild hypertension.

Conclusions: There was a significant increase in hearing thresholds at all frequencies in hypertensives than normotensives. In the current study, no significant correlation was found between duration of hypertension and auditory thresholds.

Key words: Hypertension; Hearing Acuity; Audiometry; Hearing Loss