Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2024 Aug;67(8):431-439. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2023.00920.

Association of Metabolic Health With Hearing Impairment Among Older Adults: A Nationwide Analysis of Follow-Up Data

• Kim HJ
• Jeong S
• Park BS
• Oh YH
• Suh MJ

• KMID: 2558585
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2023.00920

Abstract

Background and Objectives
To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing impairment (HI) in elderly Korean adults using a large-scale cohort data.
Subjects and Method
Data was collected on 729664 adults who underwent at least one health screening between 2009 and 2012 from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort. The study utilized a Cox proportional hazards regression model to assess the relationship between MetS and the risk of developing HI. The results were presented as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All subjects were monitored until the occurrence of HI, death, or December 31, 2019.
Results
A total of 10102 cases of HI were identified during the follow-up period of 4920397 person-years. In the crude model, MetS was linked to an increased risk of developing HI (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19). No significant association was found after adjusting for potential confounding factors (aHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08). Abnormal triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with a higher risk of HI compared to normal TG levels (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12). In addition, the risk of HI increased as TG levels increased (>150 mg/dL).
Conclusion
Abnormalities in TG levels were independently associated with an increased risk of HI among elderly adults. Management of TG levels may protect against the risk of incident HI.

Keyword

Aging; Hearing loss; Mass screening; Metabolic syndrome; Triglyceride