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Evaluation of hearing loss in patients with Graves’ disease

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Abstract

Hearing loss has commonly been reported in association with thyroid disorders and during treatment with propylthiouracil. The relationship between hyperthyroidism and the auditory system has not been previously investigated. The aim of this cross-sectional, case–control study was to investigate hearing loss in patients with Graves’ disease (GD). The study population consisted of patients with newly diagnosed GD and healthy controls. Pure tone audiometry at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz, along with immittance measures including tympanometry and acoustic reflex tests, were performed in all participants. Twenty-two GD patients and 22 healthy controls consented to inclusion in the study. The differences between groups with regards to age and gender distribution were statistically insignificant (P = 0.567 and P = 0.757, respectively). The hearing thresholds of right and left ears were also similar in both groups (P > 0.05). When single-ear evaluations were taken into account (total of 44 ears for both groups), hearing thresholds in the GD group were significantly higher than healthy controls at all frequencies (P < 0.05). Following testing at the designated frequencies, the only significant effect of thyrotoxicosis was observed with frequencies of 4000 and 8000 Hz. The odds ratio for having hearing loss at a frequency of 8000 HZ associated with GD was 14.97 (95% confidence interval 4.03–55.64). In patients with GD, right and left pure tone audiometric findings at a frequency of 8000 Hz correlated positively with FT3, FT4 and negatively with TSH. Our results are highly suggestive of a decrease in hearing ability in patients with GD, particularly at high frequencies. Further studies are needed to help elucidate the mechanisms behind hearing loss which develops in association with GD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2185 sk. Sogutozu Konutları 7B Blok No: 45, Sogutozu/ Ankara, Turkey

    Dilek Berker

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Dilek Berker, Serhat Isik, Yasemin Tutuncu, Ufuk Ozuguz, Yusuf Aydin & Serdar Guler

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Hayriye Karabulut

  4. Department of Otolaryngology, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Muharrem Dagli

  5. Department of Biochemistry, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Gonul Erden

  6. Ayvali Mah Dilem Sk 4/11 Etlik-Keçioren, 06020, Ankara, Turkey

    Serhat Isik

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  1. Dilek Berker
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  2. Hayriye Karabulut
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Correspondence to Serhat Isik.

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Berker, D., Karabulut, H., Isik, S. et al. Evaluation of hearing loss in patients with Graves’ disease. Endocrine 41, 116–121 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-011-9515-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-011-9515-9

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