Risk Factor For Hearing Loss…
In recent years, evidence has been found to show that hearing loss can be a risk factor for many systemic illnesses including dementia, depression, coronary heart disease, and kidney disease. Despite this, very few preventative strategies have been put in place to reduce the chances of developing a hearing impairment. Therefore, it is urgent that we find potential risk factors that could indicate a potential hearing loss, so that we can then develop new therapeutic strategies.
Low & Declining Platelet Counts
A recent study, published in The Laryngoscope, suggests that both a low-normal platelet and a declining platelet were independently associated with low frequency hearing impairment. Previous evidence has also suggested that platelets are likely to affect sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which is a primary risk factor for developing a permanent hearing impairment.
Research
To evaluate the effect of platelet levels on hearing impairment, the subjects if this study were divided into two groups. The first group were the high-normal platelet group, and the second were the low-normal platelet group. The participants were defined as having hearing impairment when pure tone audiometry was over 25 dB HL in either ear.
For the full study, click here.
Findings
- Incidence of hearing impairment at low frequencies was significantly higher in the low-normal platelet group than the high-normal platelet group year over year
- Low-normal platelet count associated with low-frequency hearing impairment incidence
- Within the low-normal platelet group, participants who’s counts decreased even more over time developed more low-frequency hearing impairment than those who’s platelet counts increased
The researchers concluded that both low-normal platelet counts and declining platelet counts are independent risk factors when it comes to hearing impairment, but they claim that “further prospective studies, including detailed audiometric evaluation and medical evaluation by otolaryngologists, should be performed.
