Association Between Polypharmacy and Self-Reported Hearing Disability: An Observational Study Using ATC...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hearing loss is a significant global health issue, particularly in adulthood.
• It can be exacerbated by underlying pathologies and polypharmacy (concurrent use of multiple drugs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between drug use and self-reported hearing loss in a diverse patient cohort.
• To explore the relationship between polypharmacy, specific drug classes, and hearing impairment.

Main Methods:

• An observational study involving 1651 patients (aged 18-99) with detailed pathological and pharmacological profiles.
• Self-reported hearing loss was assessed using the HHIE-S-It questionnaire.
• Drug categorization utilized the Anatomical Therapeutic Classification (ATC) system.

Main Results:

• Patients on mono- or polytherapy exhibited greater hearing deficits compared to non-drug users.
• A dose-response relationship was observed: increased drug count correlated with higher risk of moderate to severe hearing impairment.
• Cardiovascular and acid-related disorder drugs were linked to increased hearing impairment risk; antidiabetic agents showed a protective effect.

Conclusions:

• Both the quantity and specific types of medications influence perceived hearing impairment.
• Audiological evaluation should be integrated into polypharmacy management.
• Findings support the development of safer, personalized therapeutic strategies.