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Middle ear immittance in rheumatoid arthritis
Archives of Otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|February 1, 1980
Summary
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis show higher rates of hearing loss and abnormal middle ear function. This suggests rheumatoid arthritis may impact auditory health, potentially affecting middle ear stiffness and ligamentous stability.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Rheumatology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease.
- Potential effects of RA on auditory function are not fully understood.
- Middle ear and inner ear structures may be affected by inflammatory processes in RA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate audiologic and immittance findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To compare hearing function and middle ear impedance in RA patients versus healthy controls.
- To explore potential causes for observed auditory abnormalities in RA.
Main Methods:
- Conducted audiologic and electroacoustic immittance measurements on 23 RA patients and 13 controls.
- Assessed hearing loss types (conductive, sensorineural).
- Analyzed immittance data for middle ear abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 14 out of 23 RA patients (61%) exhibited hearing loss, compared to 2 out of 13 controls (15%).
- Sensorineural hearing loss was more prevalent in RA patients (11/14).
- Abnormal immittance findings were significantly higher in RA patients (59%) than controls (4%).
Conclusions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a higher incidence of hearing loss and abnormal middle ear immittance.
- Abnormal immittance findings in RA patients may indicate increased middle ear stiffness or reduced ligamentous stability.
- The underlying mechanisms for sensorineural hearing loss in RA require further investigation.