Evaluating the Hearing of Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

It is estimated that pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) occurs in 10-20% of the general population over 60 years of age, and its morbidity increases with age. Some research indicates that PEX may be a systemic disease. Some experts state that it can also lead to ear dysfunction.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and type of hearing disorders in patients with PEX.

The study included 51 patients (102 eyes) hospitalized in Wroclaw Medical University Hospital's Department of Ophthalmology and scheduled for cataract surgery in 2012-2014. Among these patients (whose age ranged from 55 to 92), 28 had PEX and 23 served as a control group. Both groups underwent ophtalmic examinations as well as ENT inspection and audiological tests (tonal audiometry, impedance audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission tests [DPOAE] and auditory brainstem response tests [ABR]).

A statistically significant increase in the threshold of hearing in pure-tone audiometry was observed in PEX group for 2 kHz. In impedance audiometry tests, the stapedius reflex was identified in a greater proportion of patients in the PEX group than in the control group in all frequency ranges. There was no difference between the PEX groups and the control group in the results of the DPOAE and ABR tests.

PEX can be a systemic disease that affects the functioning of the inner ear causing sensorineural hearing impairment. The increased hearing threshold in pure-tone audiometry of the patients with PEX affects the speech range (mainly the frequency of 2 kHz). Impedance audiometry and pure-tone audiometry appeared useful in audiological diagnostics of patients with PEX.