The Hearing Function and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Older Adults

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Jun;170(6):1712-1722. doi: 10.1002/ohn.725. Epub 2024 Mar 17.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between hearing function, assessed with pure-tone average (PTA) of air conduction thresholds, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in older adults.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: A total of 1404 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years from the Seniors-ENRICA cohort were examined.

Methods: Hearing loss was defined as PTA > 40-AudCal hearing loss decibels (dB-aHL) in the better ear for standard frequency (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), speech frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz), and high frequency (3, 4, and 8 kHz). Circadian BP patterns were calculated as the percentage decline in systolic BP during the night, and participants were classified as dipper, nondipper, and riser. Ambulatory hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg (24 hour), ≥135/85 (daytime), and ≥120/70 (nighttime) or on antihypertensive treatment. Analyses were performed with linear- and logistic-regression models adjusted for the main confounders.

Results: In multivariable analyses, the PTA was associated with higher nighttime systolic BP [β coefficient per 20 dB-aHL increment standard frequency (95% confidence interval, CI): 2.41 mm Hg (0.87, 3.95); β (95% CI) per 20 dB-aHL increment speech frequency 2.17 mm Hg (0.70, 3.64)]. Among hypertensive patients, hearing loss at standard and high-frequency PTA was associated with the riser BP pattern [odds ratio: 2.01 (95% CI, 1.03-3.93) and 1.45 (1.00-2.09), respectively]; also, hearing loss at standard PTA was linked to uncontrolled nighttime BP [1.81 (1.01-3.24)].

Conclusion: PTA was associated with higher nighttime BP, and hearing loss with a riser BP pattern and uncontrolled BP in older hypertensives.

Keywords: 24‐hour blood pressure; BP control; hearing loss; hypertension.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory*
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / physiopathology
  • Male