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Functional and structural evaluation of hearing in acromegaly
Kadriye Aydin1, Burak Ozturk, Meral Didem Turkyilmaz
1School of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
Clinical Endocrinology
|September 3, 2011
Summary
Hearing loss is common in acromegaly patients, affecting nearly half of those studied. This condition can cause various types of hearing impairment, potentially linked to growth hormone overload.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- The effects of acromegaly on auditory function are not well understood.
- Acromegaly, a disorder caused by excess growth hormone (GH), may impact various bodily systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate audiological symptoms, auditory structure, and function in patients with acromegaly.
- To compare auditory health in acromegaly patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 44 acromegaly patients and 36 healthy controls underwent pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions testing.
- Computerized tomography of the temporal bone and magnetic resonance imaging of the ear were performed.
- Patients were categorized by disease control: controlled (n=13), partially controlled (n=16), and uncontrolled (n=15).
Main Results:
- 43% of acromegaly patients exhibited hearing loss; 20% had a history of otitis.
- Median pure tone average (PTA) was significantly higher in acromegaly patients (12.5 dB) compared to controls (8.3 dB) (P < 0.001).
- Hearing loss was observed in 48% of patients, with sensorineural (30%) and mixed (18%) types being most common. 50% showed temporomandibular joint degeneration.
Conclusions:
- Hearing loss is a frequent complication of acromegaly.
- Contrary to expectations, conductive hearing loss was not more prevalent than other types.
- Acromegaly contributes to hearing loss, irrespective of disease activity, possibly due to GH-related volume overload affecting middle ear pressure.
