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Outer hair cell cochlear dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Irene Cheuk-Wai Cheung1, Michel Neeff2, Syed Hussain3
1Audiology, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand; Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
Respiratory Medicine
|October 24, 2025
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may impair cochlear hair cell function, particularly in severe cases. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment primarily affects middle ear pressure, not other auditory functions.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Audiology
Background:
- The link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and hearing impairment is not well-established.
- OSA-related upper airway obstruction may alter Eustachian tube anatomy, affecting middle ear function.
- Recurrent hypoxia during OSA may compromise cochlear function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate peripheral hearing function in patients with OSA.
- To determine the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy on auditory function in OSA patients.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving 91 participants with varying OSA severity.
- Hearing function assessed before sleep, middle ear function monitored during sleep.
- Impact of CPAP on hearing function was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Increasing OSA severity correlated with reduced cochlear outer hair cell function, potentially due to hypoxia.
- CPAP therapy increased middle ear pressure (MEP) proportionally to pressure settings.
- No significant impact of CPAP on other auditory regions was observed.
Conclusions:
- OSA patients may experience diminished cochlear hair cell function.
- CPAP treatment primarily influences middle ear pressure.
- Further research is needed to explore OSA's effects on central auditory pathways.
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