Audiological profile in osteoporosis
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease characterized by decrease in Bone mineral density and disruption of bony architecture. This reduction in bone mineral density is measured using T score. T score of <-1 is normal, -1to -2.5 is osteopenic and >-2.5 is osteoporotic. The association between osteoporosis and hearing loss is unknown due to limited studies. The present study was undertaken to study the relation between hearing loss and osteoporosis. 33 postmenopausal indian women in the age range of 38-55 were subjected to Bone mineral density study and T scores were obtained. Based on the T scores participants were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of 12 normals, Group II consisted of 11 Osteopenic women and Group III consisted of 10 Osteoporotic women. Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and distortion product Otoacoustic emissions were carried out. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis and was found that the mean threshold at all frequencies from 250Hz to 8 KHz were better for normal, poorer for osteopenic group and even poorer for osteoporotic group. At all frequencies the effect of reduced BMD on hearing loss was significant. Results indicated that thresholds at all frequencies and pure tone average thresholds were significantly different between the three groups with p<0.05. ‘A’ type of tympanogram was present in all the groups. DPOAE amplitudes were significantly different at 3 KHz and 4 KHz between normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic group with p<0.05. However, there was no significant difference between the groups at 1 KHz and 2 KHz. Osteoporotic group showed a greater number of individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. The present study indicates a stronger relation between osteoporosis and hearing loss. Effect of osteoporosis on auditory system using this test battery indicated bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
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