Audiological profiling in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Objectives

To compare the audiological profiles in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis and to study the pattern of hearing loss in osteoporotic patients.

Materials and methods

80 postmenopausal women were evaluated at a tertiary referral center and were divided into normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic based on BMD results. The hearing evaluation was done using PTA, Impedance audiometry and DPOAE and the results were compared between the groups and analyzed.

Results

Osteoporotic patients had higher incidence of sensorineural hearing loss than normal and osteopenic patients and the results were statistically significant (P?≤0.001) on PTA and DPOAE testing. The mean pure tone thresholds were significantly higher in osteoporotic patients in comparison with normal and osteopenic patients. The average hearing loss in osteoporotic patients with sensorineural loss was of mild degree.

Conclusion

The data reveal that osteoporosis is associated with sensorineural hearing loss in postmenopausal women. The underlying mechanism needs further research but cochlear dysfunction could be an important factor.