Metabolic syndrome is associated with hearing disturbance

Although metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with various diseases, few studies to date have addressed the association between MetS and hearing loss.

This cross-sectional review of health examination center data sought to determine the association between MetS and hearing disturbance.

This study involved 28,866 subjects. Height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and basic blood tests and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) were performed. Other factors analyzed included body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.

Age and gender did not differ between subjects with and without MetS. PTA was slightly higher in subjects with than without MetS, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = .47). The incidence of hearing loss was no higher in subjects who met three of the five diagnostic criteria of MetS than in those who met 0-2 criteria, but was significantly higher in subjects who met four (p = .04) and five (p < .01) criteria.

MetS may be associated with hearing loss, especially in subjects who meet four or five of the diagnostic criteria for MetS.