Systolic Blood Pressure and Objective Hearing Thresholds Among Japanese Middle-Aged Adults: A Facility-Based
Jun Miyata, Mitsumasa Umesawa1, Tetsuya Yoshioka2
1Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Shimotsuga, Tochigi, Japan.
Introduction:
Very few studies have compared the magnitude of the changes in the hearing thresholds at 1 and 4 kHz according to the systolic blood pressure (SBP). We investigated the effects of SBP on repeated measures of hearing threshold using pure-tone audiometry.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included 5,479 (for the analysis at 1 kHz) and 2,045 (for 4 kHz) individuals aged 50 to 59 years who underwent facility-based health checkups. A multivariable generalized linear mixed model was constructed for the analysis at 1 and 4 kHz.
Results:
The mean follow-up durations were 30,262 and 7,454 person-years, respectively. The interaction of SBP and year was significantly associated with the change in hearing threshold in both analyses at 1 kHz (with estimated slope, 0.00080; 95% confidence interval, 0.00049-0.00110) and 4 kHz (with estimated slope, 0.0042; 95% confidence interval, 0.0028-0.0057). The 10-year changes in hearing threshold with baseline SBP of 110 and 140 mm Hg were 0.4 and 0.6 dB at 1 kHz and 1.0 and 2.3 dB at 4 kHz, respectively.
Conclusions:
Higher SBP was associated with an increased hearing threshold at both 1 and 4 kHz among middle-aged individuals.
Related Concept Videos
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Sites for measruring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement


