Hypotension and sensorineural hearing loss: A possible correlation

A possible role of hypotension in the genesis of sudden or slowly developin g sensorineural hearing loss has been outlined. In order to confirm this hy pothesis. and to exclude other vascular risk factors. a prospective study w as carried out within the "Brisighella Study". a wide and homogeneous group of subjects thoroughly examined fi om a metabolic and cardiovascular point of view. Among them: 20 participants aged 50 years or less (18 women, 2 me n) with diastolic blood pressure less than or equal to 60 mmHg and/or systo lic blood pressure less than or equal to 105 mmHg were selected and underwe nt otological al and audiometric examinations. Patients with previous audio logical, vestibular and otological diseases were excluded. The control grou p was represented by 100 subjects (60 women, 40 men), aged 50 years or less , randomly chosen from within a sample of the normal population in the same region. A statistically significant incidence of sensorineural hearing los s was recorded in the study group (7/20 subjects, all affected by low-frequ ency hearing loss), while hearing impairment was observed in only 3/100 par ticipants in the control group. The mean values of the main metabolic param eters were normal, An alteration of the vasomotor system associated with a hypotensive condition could be responsible as a possible factor in the orig in of a cochlear damage and the consequent sensorineural hearing loss.