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Published on: December 6, 2016
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Severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cochlear function impairment
Erika Matsumura1, Carla G Matas2, Seisse G G Sanches3
1Speech and Hearing Sciences Investigation on Human Hearing Laboratory, Physical Therapy, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Occupational Therapy Department, Faculdade de Medicina - FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. eerikamat@gmail.com.
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|July 7, 2017
Summary
Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to impaired cochlear function, while middle ear acoustic transference remains unaffected. This study highlights a specific risk for hearing loss in severe OSA patients without other health issues.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Audiology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition affecting sleep quality and potentially other physiological functions.
- The relationship between OSA and auditory system function, particularly middle ear and cochlear health, requires further investigation.
- Understanding these associations can inform clinical management and preventative strategies for hearing impairment in OSA patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and middle ear acoustic transference.
- To examine the impact of OSA severity on cochlear function.
- To determine if OSA independently affects auditory pathways in the absence of comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of male individuals with varying degrees of OSA (mild, moderate, severe) and a control group without OSA were studied.
- Exclusion criteria included significant comorbidities like heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and a BMI ≥40 kg/m².
- Participants underwent full polysomnography, wideband acoustic immittance (energy of absorbance - EA), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing.
Main Results:
- Energy of absorbance (EA) measurements, reflecting middle ear acoustic transference, showed no significant differences between OSA groups and the control group.
- Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) amplitudes, an indicator of cochlear function, were significantly lower in patients with severe OSA compared to all other groups.
- These findings suggest that severe OSA is associated with impaired cochlear function, independent of middle ear transmission.
Conclusions:
- Middle ear acoustic transference, as measured by EA, is not significantly altered in adults with or without OSA.
- Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with impaired cochlear function.
- This study underscores a potential link between severe OSA and subclinical cochlear damage, even in individuals without significant comorbidities.
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