Korean J Fam Med.  2023 Mar;44(2):117-123. 10.4082/kjfm.22.0137.

Association between Sleep Duration and Presbycusis in Korean Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Kang MJ
• Lee Y
• Kim YJ
• Lee SY
• Lee JG
• Yi YH
• Cho YH
• Tak YJ
• Park EJ
• Lee SH
• Kim GL
• Choi JI
• Ra YJ
• Lee SR
• Kwon RJ
• Son SM
• Lee YJ
• Choi YE

• KMID: 2540663
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.22.0137

Abstract

Background
Sleep duration is associated with hearing loss, especially presbycusis, which is the most common type of hearing loss; however, there is limited evidence regarding this association among the Korean population. We aimed to determine the relationship between sleep duration and high-frequency hearing loss in Korean adults aged ≥40 years.
Methods
We examined 5,547 Korean adults aged ≥40 years who completed audiometric tests and questionnaires regarding sleep duration during the 2010–2012 cycle of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Mild presbycusis was defined as >25 decibels (dB) and <40 dB, whereas moderate-to-severe presbycusis was defined as >40 dB pure tone averages at high frequencies (3,000, 4,000, and 6,000 Hz) for both ears. Additionally, the sleep duration was divided into quartiles. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for covariates.
Results
The prevalence of presbycusis in South Korean adults was 62.1%, of which 61.4% showed moderate to severe presbycusis. The incidence of moderate-to-severe, but not mild, presbycusis showed a significant positive correlation with sleep duration.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that sleep duration is associated with the prevalence of presbycusis.

Keyword

Presbycusis; Hearing Loss; Sleep Duration; Sleep Time