Association between hypertension and hearing impairment in health check-ups among Japanese workers: a cross-sectional study

Examination of the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Skills, Kinesiophobia and Fear of Falling in Older Adults with Hypertension and Normotension

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate fear of falling, kinesiophobia, and sensory processing in older adults with hypertension and normotension.

METHODS

Older adults, 62 with hypertension and 62 with normotension, aged 65-84 years were included in the study. The assessment of fear of falling was conducted using the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale, kinesiophobia was evaluated with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and sensory processing skills were analyzed with the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between the groups in terms of vestibular processing, visual processing and activity level, fear of falling and kinesiophobia (p < .05). No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to taste/smell, tactile, and auditory processing skills. The findings revealed that older adults with hypertension exhibited diminished vestibular and visual processing abilities, reduced activity levels, and heightened concerns about falling and a tendency to experience kinesiophobia. Fear of falling and kinesiophobia were found to increase with decreasing vestibular processing skills and activity levels in both groups (p < .05). Regression analysis revealed that age, kinesiophobia, vestibular processing, and activity levels were significant determinants of fear of falling (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that older adults with hypertension be assessed in terms of sensory, functional, and mental health, with the objective of planning appropriate intervention approaches.

The Hearing Function and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Older Adults

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between hearing function, assessed with pure-tone average (PTA) of air conduction thresholds, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in older adults.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A total of 1404 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years from the Seniors-ENRICA cohort were examined.

METHODS

Hearing loss was defined as PTA > 40-AudCal hearing loss decibels (dB-aHL) in the better ear for standard frequency (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), speech frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz), and high frequency (3, 4, and 8 kHz). Circadian BP patterns were calculated as the percentage decline in systolic BP during the night, and participants were classified as dipper, nondipper, and riser. Ambulatory hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg (24 hour), ≥135/85 (daytime), and ≥120/70 (nighttime) or on antihypertensive treatment. Analyses were performed with linear- and logistic-regression models adjusted for the main confounders.

RESULTS

In multivariable analyses, the PTA was associated with higher nighttime systolic BP [β coefficient per 20 dB-aHL increment standard frequency (95% confidence interval, CI): 2.41 mm Hg (0.87, 3.95); β (95% CI) per 20 dB-aHL increment speech frequency 2.17 mm Hg (0.70, 3.64)]. Among hypertensive patients, hearing loss at standard and high-frequency PTA was associated with the riser BP pattern [odds ratio: 2.01 (95% CI, 1.03-3.93) and 1.45 (1.00-2.09), respectively]; also, hearing loss at standard PTA was linked to uncontrolled nighttime BP [1.81 (1.01-3.24)].

CONCLUSION

PTA was associated with higher nighttime BP, and hearing loss with a riser BP pattern and uncontrolled BP in older hypertensives.

Relationship Between Hypertension and Hearing Loss: Analysis of the Related Factors

Purpose

The impact of hypertension extends to hearing loss, aging, and mental Health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of hearing loss and hearing thresholds at different frequencies in individuals with hypertension. Through a comprehensive analysis, in the present study, it aimed to uncover the contributing factors that underlie hearing loss in this patient cohort, shedding light on the complex relationship between hypertension and auditory impairment.

Patients and Methods

This was a single-center population-based observational study, and clinical, biological, and hospital data were collected from the inpatient ward. In the present study, 517 patients (1034 ears) with or without hypertension were included, and the proportion of patients with hearing loss, mean pure-tone average hearing threshold, low-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (LFPTA), medium-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (MFPTA) and high-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (HFPTA) were evaluated. Risk factors related to hearing loss and hearing threshold were also estimated at different frequencies.

Results

The proportion of patients with hearing loss was higher in the hypertensive group than in the nonhypertensive group (P<0.05). After including risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can have an impact on the parameters of hearing and ambulatory blood pressure in the regression model, factors related to hearing loss included the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and the standard deviation of the 24-hour systolic blood pressure (24h-SSD). ACR, 24h-SSD, and day systolic blood pressure (Day SBP) were associated with the mean pure-tone average hearing threshold, LFPTA, MFPTA, and HFPTA. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of ACR + 24h-SSD for hearing loss was 0.873, with a sensitivity of 86.73%, specificity of 90.52%, and a 95% confidence interval of 0.821-0.914.

Conclusion

Hypertension is correlated with hearing loss, and the combination of ACR and 24h-SSD demonstrates an improved predictive capacity for hearing loss in hypertensive patients.

The Combined Effect of Elevated Blood Pressure and Occupational Noise Exposure on Bilateral High-Frequency Hearing Loss: Evidence From a Large Sample Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Combined effect of elevated blood pressure and occupational noise exposure on hearing loss have rarely been evaluated among Chinese population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 242,811 participants. Logistic regression model was performed to estimate the independent and combined associations.

RESULTS

Compared with participants without occupational noise exposure, the risk of bilateral high-frequency hearing loss (BHFHL) was significantly higher for noise exposure 10 years or more (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.23-1.35). Compared with no hypertension, participants with grade 1 hypertension had higher risk of BHFHL in all age groups (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.09-1.20). As to the combined effect, the highest BHFHL risk was found in males (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.37-1.67), especially among participants with grade 1 hypertension older than 50 years (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.46-1.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated blood pressure may synergistically influence hearing loss combined with occupational noise exposure.

Gender-specific associations of speech-frequency hearing loss, high-frequency hearing loss, and cognitive impairment among older community dwellers in China

Background and Aims

This study aimed atinvestigating the relationship between speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL), high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL), and cognitive impairment (CI) and then to determine whether there are any differences in gender among older community dwellers in China.

Methods

1012 adults aged ≥ 60 years (428 males; average age, 72.61 ± 5.51 years) and living in Chongming District, Shanghai were enrolled in the study. We used the audiometric definition of hearing loss (HL) adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Speech-frequencies were measured at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz; high-frequencies were measured at 4 kHz and 8 kHz. Pure tone average (PTA) was measured as hearing sensitivity. Cognitive performance was measured using the mini mental state examination (MMSE).

Results

Our studies demonstrated a 37.6% prevalence of HL in males and a 36.0% prevalence of HL in females. Adjusted for confounding variables, the results from a multivariate analysis showed that SFHL was associated with CI in females (OR = 2.922, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.666–5.124) and males (OR = 2.559, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.252–5.232). However, HFHL was associated with CI only in females (OR = 3.490, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.834–6.643). HL was associated with poorer cognitive scores (P < 0.05). “Registration” (P < 0.05) in MMSE was associated with speech- and high-frequency hearing sensitivity.

Conclusions

The associations between HL and CI varied according to gender in older community-dwellers, suggesting that different mechanisms are involved in the etiology of HL. Moreover, hearing sensitivity was negatively associated with cognition scores; therefore, early screening for HL and CI among older community-dwelling adults is advised.

Association between high systolic blood pressure and objective hearing impairment among Japanese adults: a facility-based retrospective cohort study

This retrospective longitudinal study examined the association between systolic blood pressure and hearing impairment among 13,187 Japanese individuals (men, 46.5%) aged 20-59 years. The systolic blood pressure of participants was categorized as <120, 120-129, 130-139, 140-149, 150-159, and ≥160 mmHg. Using pure-tone audiometry, hearing impairment at 1 and 4 kHz was defined as hearing thresholds in either ear >30 and >40 dB, respectively. We performed multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis to examine the association using two multiple-imputation methods (fully conditional specification and Markov chain Monte Carlo). There were 695 and 774 hearing-impairment cases at 1 and 4 kHz, respectively, during ~77,000 person-years of follow-up. Compared with the <120 mmHg group, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of hearing impairment for the 120-129, 130-139, 140-149, 150-159, and ≥160 mmHg groups after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, high serum glucose, current smoking, and other potential confounders were 1.35 (1.12-1.63), 1.45 (1.13-1.86), 1.07 (0.73-1.58), 1.91 (1.18-3.07), and 1.81 (1.01-3.25), respectively, at 1 kHz using the first imputation method; 1.36 (1.13-1.63), 1.48 (1.17-1.86), 1.09 (0.76-1.58), 1.99 (1.29-3.06), and 1.92 (1.08-3.41), respectively, at 1 kHz using the second imputation method; 1.04 (0.86-1.24), 1.14 (0.91-1.43), 1.13 (0.83-1.54), 1.45 (0.96-2.19), and 1.35 (0.82-2.23), respectively, at 4 kHz using the first imputation method; and 1.03 (0.86-1.24), 1.17 (0.95-1.44), 1.15 (0.87-1.53), 1.54 (1.06-2.24), and 1.44 (0.88-2.35), respectively, at 4 kHz using the second imputation method. In conclusion, higher systolic blood pressure was associated with hearing impairment at 1 kHz. No clear association was observed at 4 kHz.

Baseline audiological profiling of South African females with cervical cancer: an important attribute for assessing cisplatin-associated ototoxicity

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin is a popular antineoplastic agent used to treat cervical cancer in women from low and middle-income countries. Cisplatin treatment is associated with ototoxicity, often resulting in hearing loss. In light of this, it is crucial to conduct baseline audiological assessments prior to treatment initiation in order to evaluate the extent of cisplatin-associated-ototoxicity. Additionally, the identification of inherent risk factors and hearing patterns in specific patient cohorts is needed, especially in South Africa, a middle-income country characterized by the quadruple burden of disease (Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB), Diabetes and Hypertension).

METHODS

This study aimed to describe a profile of risk factors and hearing in a cohort of females with cervical cancer before cisplatin treatment commenced. A descriptive study design that included 82 cervical cancer patients, who underwent audiological evaluation prescribed for ototoxicity monitoring was conducted.

RESULTS

All participants (n = 82) presented with risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, HIV, and antiretroviral therapy) for cisplatin ototoxicity and/or pre-existing sensorineural hearing loss. High-frequency tinnitus was the most common otological symptom experienced by 25 (31%) participants. Fifty-nine (72%) participants presented with normal hearing, twenty-two (27%) with a sensorineural hearing loss, and 36% were diagnosed with mild hearing loss. Abnormal Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) findings were obtained bilaterally in two participants (2.4%), in the right ear only of another two (2.4%) participants and the left ear of three participants (3.7%). Most participants (94%) had excellent word recognition scores, demonstrating an excellent ability to recognize words within normal conversational levels under optimal listening conditions. Age was significantly associated with hearing loss at all thresholds. Among the co-morbidities, an HIV positive status significantly triggered hearing loss, especially at higher frequencies.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that South African females with cervical cancer present with various co-morbidities, which may predispose them to develop cisplatin-associated -ototoxic hearing loss. Identification of these co-morbidities and hearing loss is essential for the accurate monitoring of cisplatin toxicities. Appropriate management of these patients is pivotal to reduce the adverse effects that hearing impairment can have on an individual's quality of life and to facilitate informed decision-making regarding the commencement of cisplatin chemotherapy.

Hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension: analysis of the baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association among hypertension, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss and evaluate the influence of other covariates on this association.

METHODS

Baseline data (2008-2010) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) were analyzed. Altogether, 900 participants were evaluated. The baseline assessment consisted of a 7-hour examination to obtain clinical and laboratory variables. Hearing was measured using pure-tone audiometry.

RESULTS

Overall, 33.3% of the participants had hypertension. Participants with hypertension were more likely to be older, male, and diabetic compared to those without hypertension. The prevalence of tinnitus was higher among hypertensive participants and the odds ratio for tinnitus was higher in participants with hypertension than in those without hypertension. However, the difference was not significant after adjusting for age. Audiometric results at 250-8,000 Hz were worse in participants with hypertension than in those without hypertension in the crude analysis; however, the differences were not significant after adjustment for age, sex, diagnosis of diabetes, and exposure to noise. No significant difference was observed in hearing thresholds among participants having hypertension for <6 years, those having hypertension for ≥6 years, and individuals without hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Hearing thresholds were worse in participants with hypertension. However, after adjusting for age, sex, diagnosis of diabetes, and exposure to noise, no significant differences were observed between participants with and without hypertension. A higher prevalence of tinnitus was observed in participants with hypertension compared to those without hypertension, but without significance after adjusting for age.