COPD and 20-year hearing decline: The HUNT cohort study

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Audiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant global health concern.
• Hearing loss is a common condition with multifactorial causes.
• The relationship between COPD and long-term hearing decline, including sex differences, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 20-year hearing decline.
• To investigate potential sex differences in the relationship between COPD and hearing loss.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study (HUNT study) in Norway.
• Included 12,082 participants with baseline measurements from 1996-1998 and follow-up in 2017-2019.
• Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between COPD and hearing decline across different frequencies, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

• COPD was associated with significantly greater 20-year hearing decline at low and mid frequencies.
• A stronger association between COPD and high-frequency hearing loss was observed in women.
• Participants with both COPD and respiratory failure showed a more pronounced decline in low and mid-frequency hearing.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates a significant association between COPD and increased long-term hearing decline.
• Women may be more susceptible to COPD-related high-frequency hearing loss.
• The findings suggest that COPD can negatively impact cochlear function.