Blood viscosity as a factor in sensorineural hearing impairment

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Hematology
• Physiology

Background:

• Sensorineural hearing impairment (SHI) etiology is often idiopathic.
• Ischemia is a potential contributing factor to SHI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between hearing thresholds and blood viscosity parameters in patients with idiopathic hearing loss.
• To explore the role of plasma viscosity, blood viscosity (at different shear rates), and red-cell rigidity in SHI.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 49 patients with idiopathic hearing loss, assessing hearing thresholds against blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and hematocrit.
• A second population-based study of 92 subjects to confirm findings.
• Statistical analysis considered age, sex, smoking, and socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

• Hearing thresholds were not correlated with hematocrit or low-shear blood viscosity.
• High-frequency hearing impairment showed a direct relationship with high-shear blood viscosity and an inverse relationship with plasma viscosity.
• Increased red-cell rigidity was significantly associated with hearing thresholds across all frequencies.

Conclusions:

• Increased red-cell rigidity is a significant factor related to hearing thresholds in sensorineural hearing impairment.
• These findings suggest potential diagnostic and preventive strategies for SHI related to blood rheology.