Associations between cardiovascular disease and its risk factors with hearing loss – a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between hearing loss and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Participants were recruited between May 2010 and December 2015 and answered a health and risk factor questionnaire. Physical and biochemical assessments were performed.

Setting

A community based population.

Participants

5,107 participants born within the years 1946-1964 enrolled in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study.

Main outcome measures

Hearing was assessed behaviourally through the best ear pure-tone average (500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz), low-frequency average (250, 500, 1000Hz) and high-frequency average (4000, 8000Hz). Self-reported hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis were assessed via questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed via a patient completed questionnaire and objective measurements including blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid profile and glycated haemoglobin.

Results

Of the participants, 54% were female, with the mean age of 58 years (range 45 to 69 years). Age, sex and family history of hearing loss were consistently strong determinants of hearing loss outcomes. After adjusting for these, obesity, current smoking, peripheral arterial disease and history of cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with pure-tone, low-frequency and high-frequency hearing loss. In addition, high blood pressure, triglyceride and glycated haemoglobin were significantly associated with low-frequency hearing loss. There was a graded association between hearing loss and Framingham Risk Score for cardiovascular risk (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Established cardiovascular disease as well as individual and combined cardiovascular disease risk factors were found to be associated with hearing loss. Future research should prospectively investigate whether targeting cardiovascular disease can prevent hearing loss.

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