Relationship Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity, Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers, and Hearing Sensitivity Using Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006

Association Between Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Hearing Threshold Shifts of Adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015-2016

Objective

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) is a representative human sensory impairment, few studies have paid attention to the correlation between the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index and SNHL to date. We conducted this analysis to elucidate the correlation between the TyG index and pure tone hearing thresholds among US adults.

Methods

Our analysis included 1226 adults (age range: 20 to 69 years old) from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. TyG index was scored into three quartiles. Weighted univariate analysis, weighted multivariate linear regression analyses as well as smooth curve fittings evaluated the associations between TyG index and pure tone hearing thresholds.

Results

In the multiple regression analysis, the second tertile of TyG index was negatively associated with high-frequency hearing thresholds shifts. Furthermore, the non-linear relationships between TyG index and speech-frequency and high-frequency hearing thresholds were identified by smooth curve fittings. After adjusting for potential confounders, the fitted smooth curves were approximately U-shaped, and the two-segment linear regression models were constructed to calculate their inflection points.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that the TyG index was nearly U-shaped association with speech-frequency and high-frequency hearing thresholds. These results may imply the importance of maintaining a balanced TyG index in health management.

The Role of Metabolic Syndrome Components in Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adolescents: A Case-Control Study

Introduction  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated components were reported as a possible cause of inner ear dysfunction. However, research about the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on hearing thresholds are conducted mainly in adult patients. Objective  The aim of the present study was to investigate auditory function in adolescents with MetS compared with healthy controls. Methods  One hundred adolescents with metabolic syndrome and 200 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited from a university pediatric endocrine clinic from May 2018 to July 2020. Hearing loss was defined as hearing level ≥ 15 dB at speech frequency (SFHL) or high frequency (HFHL) in one or both ears. A multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis examined the correlation between MetS components and several important demographic characteristics, and hearing loss. Results  A total of 165 (55.0%) boys and 135 (45.0%) girls participated in this study. The rates of SFHL and HFHL in adolescents with MetS were 32.0% and 51.0%, respectively. Those values for controls were 5.0% and 15.5%, respectively. The regression analysis showed high triglycerides as a significant predictor for SFHL (odds ratio 10.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.98, 59.74). Neither predictor of interest was significant for HFHL. Conclusion  Hypertriglyceridemia may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of SFHL. However, the strength of the association was not significant with a wide confidence interval. Also, we were unable to find an association between predictors and HFHL with the current sample size. Larger and prospective studies are recommended.

Tobacco, but Neither Cannabis Smoking Nor Co-Drug Use, Is Associated With Hearing Loss in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011 to 2012 and 2015 to 2016

INTRODUCTION

A relationship between tobacco smoking and hearing loss has been reported; associations with cannabis smoking are unknown. In this cross-sectional population-based study, we examined relationships between hearing loss and smoking (tobacco, cannabis, or co-drug use).

METHODS

We explored the relationship between hearing loss and smoking among 2705 participants [mean age = 39.41 (SE: 0.36) years] in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011 to 12; 2015 to 16). Smoking status was obtained via questionnaire; four mutually exclusive groups were defined: nonsmokers, current regular cannabis smokers, current regular tobacco smokers, and co-drug users. Hearing sensitivity (0.5 to 8 kHz) was assessed, and two puretone averages (PTAs) computed: low- (PTA 0.5,1,2 ) and high-frequency (PTA 3,4,6,8 ). We defined hearing loss as threshold >15 dB HL. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine sex-specific associations between smoking and hearing loss in the poorer ear (selected based on PTA 0.5,1,2 ) adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes, education, and noise exposure with sample weights applied.

RESULTS

In the age-sex adjusted model, tobacco smokers had increased odds of low- and high-frequency hearing loss compared with non-smokers [odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, 95% confidence ratio (CI): 1.05 to 2.37 and OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.58 to 2.45, respectively]. Co-drug users also had greater odds of low- and high-frequency hearing loss [OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.10 to 3.91 and OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.27 to 3.96, respectively]. In the fully adjusted multivariable model, compared with non-smokers, tobacco smokers had greater odds of high-frequency hearing loss [multivariable adjusted odds ratio = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.28-2.09]. However, in the fully adjusted model, there were no statistically significant relationships between hearing loss (PTA 0.5,1,2 or PTA 3,4,6,8 ) and cannabis smoking or co-drug use.

DISCUSSION

Cannabis smoking without concomitant tobacco consumption is not associated with hearing loss. However, sole use of cannabis was relatively rare and the prevalence of hearing loss in this population was low, limiting generalizability of the results. This study suggests that tobacco smoking may be a risk factor for hearing loss but does not support an association between hearing loss and cannabis smoking. More definitive evidence could be derived using physiological measures of auditory function in smokers and from longitudinal studies.

The role of diet in vulnerability to noise-induced cochlear injury and hearing loss

The influence of dietary nutrient intake on the onset and trajectory of hearing loss during aging and in mediating protection from challenges such as noise is an important relationship yet to be fully appreciated. Dietary intake provides essential nutrients that support basic cellular processes related to influencing cellular stress response, immune response, cardiometabolic status, neural status, and psychological well-being. Dietary quality has been shown to alter risk for essentially all chronic health conditions including hearing loss and tinnitus. Evidence of nutrients with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ischemic properties, and overall healthy diet quality as otoprotective strategies are slowly accumulating, but many questions remain unanswered. In this article, the authors will discuss (1) animal models in nutritional research, (2) evidence of dietary nutrient-based otoprotection, and (3) consideration of confounds and limitations to nutrient and dietary study in hearing sciences. Given that there are some 60 physiologically essential nutrients, unraveling the intricate biochemistry and multitude of interactions among nutrients may ultimately prove infeasible; however, the wealth of available data suggesting healthy nutrient intake to be associated with improved hearing outcomes suggests the development of evidence-based guidance regarding diets that support healthy hearing may not require precise understanding of all possible interactions among variables. Clinical trials evaluating otoprotective benefits of nutrients should account for dietary quality, noise exposure history, and exercise habits as potential covariates that may influence the efficacy and effectiveness of test agents; pharmacokinetic measures are also encouraged.

Evaluation and Management of Patients with Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for acquired hearing loss and tinnitus. Persons with diabetes (PWD) may present with hearing loss symptoms earlier in life than those without diabetes. Furthermore, diabetes may exacerbate risk for hearing loss related to noise exposure and ototoxic drugs. The purpose of this article is to provide recommendations for the prevention, screening, evaluation, and management of hearing loss in PWD.

Separate and combined associations of physical activity and obesity with lipid-related indices in non-diabetic and diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the separate and combined associations of physical activity and obesity with blood lipids in Chinese adults with and without diabetes.

METHODS

Data of 17,535 participants aged 18 to 78 years old were collected. Physical activity was categorized as inactive (low) or active (moderate or high) according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations of physical activity and obesity with lipid-related indices.

RESULTS

Compared with physically active participants, inactive participants had higher triglyceride (TG) level, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, and higher odds ratios for abnormal TG and HDL-C. Compared with non-obese participants, obese participants had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lower HDL-C level, and higher odds ratios for the four abnormal lipid indices. Inactive obese participants had highest levels of TC, TG and LDL-C, lowest HDL-C level, and highest odds ratios compared to the other groups. No significant associations were found between obesity and TC, LDL-C in patients with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity were associated with the presences of abnormal TG and HDL-C. Moreover, there were additive effects on blood lipids when physical inactivity and obesity co-occur.