Hearing loss in Turner syndrome: results of a multicentric study

The purpose of this article was to evaluate otological diseases in 173 patients (pts) with Turner syndrome (TS).

One hundred and seventy-three pts, mean chronological age (CA) 12+/-6.2 yr. Patients were submitted to different therapies: GH, estrogen therapy (EE), no therapy (no tx). Seventy-nine pts (CA 11 yr) had no otological diseases. Conductive hearing loss (CHL) occurred in 38.7% (CA 11 yr) and otoscopy was: persistent secretory otitis media in 55.2%, chronic otitis media in 10.4%, pars flaccida retraction pocket in 19.4%, mostly bilateral. Cholesteatoma was present in 15%. Sensorineurinal hearing loss (SNHL) occurred in 15.6% (CA 16 yr), 11 of whom were affected by high tone loss, and 15 by loss in midfrequencies (dip between 0.5-3 kHz), bilateral in 93%. Degree of hearing loss (HL) was mild [20-40 decibel hearing level (dBHL)] in 15%, moderate (45-60 dBHL) in 31%, severe (65-80 dBHL) in 8%, profound (dBHL>85) in 2%. We found a significant association between CHL and karyotype 45, X (p<0.025), congenital cranio-facial abnormalities, prevalently with low-set ears (p<0.04), narrow and/or high arched palate (p<0.018), and micrognathia (p<0.004). Our study confirms that the high prevalence of middle ear infections and CHL in TS are probably due to growth disturbances of the structures from the first and second branchial arches. We did not find any association between EE, GH, and HL. We recommend a regular audiological follow-up, especially during childhood, to prevent important middle ear anatomic sequele and to identify HL at an early stage, as the impact on social functioning may be significant.