(052) Association Between Low Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction: To characterize the association between low frequency sensorineural hearing loss and the timing and subtype of cardiovascular disease diagnosis.

Methods: Patients undergoing audiometry from 2008-2009 were assessed for hearing loss pattern, prior or subsequent diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and subtype of cardiovascular disorder. Correlation analyses were performed between hearing pattern and CVD disease subtype.

Results: CVD was observed in 38.6% of 1249 patients; 34.6% of females and 43.3 % of males. Only 21.7% of patients with normal hearing (n=494) had a diagnosis of CVD in contrast to those with the two low frequency hearing loss patterns: 52.3% of those with a low-sloping pattern and 50.2% of those with a strial pattern. The likelihood of low-frequency hearing loss was significantly higher (p < .0001) in those with acute MI (OR: 2.175, [CI: 1.68, 2.81]), heart failure (4.53, [2.25,9.10]), and peripheral vascular disease (2.66, [1.21, 5.85]). Among those with low frequency hearing loss patterns, most were diagnosed with CVD prior to the audiometric documentation, however, 39.9% were diagnosed with CVD subsequently.

Conclusions: Low-frequency adult-onset hearing loss showed significant correlation with cardiovascular disease. Hearing loss is likely secondary to cardiovascular compromise, however, in a real world setting a significant number of patients demonstrated a vascular hearing loss pattern prior to their first diagnosis of CVD. Thus, patients identified with low-frequency hearing loss should be counselled as regards CVD risk and appropriate primary care follow-up.