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Abstract <p>Hearing loss is a prevalent condition in older adults, with noise exposure, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) proposed as contributing factors. However, limited data exist from sub-Saharan Africa on their combined impact. To investigate patterns, degrees and types of hearing loss among elderly patients in South-West, Nigeria and examine associations of noise exposure, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) with hearing thresholds. A retrospective review of 469 elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with documented hearing loss was conducted across six teaching hospitals. The relationship between noise exposure, DM and HTN with hearing loss was assessed using multiple regression analysis. Hearing loss was operationalized as the pure-tone average (PTA) threshold in dB HL across standard frequencies (0.5–4 kHz), treated as a continuous dependent variable. Predictor variables (noise exposure, DM, HTN) were entered as binary (absent = 0, present = 1). Model fit was assessed using R, R², F-statistics, regression coefficients (B), standardized coefficients (β), t-values, and p-values. For clinical interpretability, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for regression coefficients. A significance level of p &lt; 0.05 was used. Bilateral, sensorineural, sloping hearing loss of moderately severe degree was the predominant pattern. Sensorineural hearing loss accounted for 65.7% of right ears and 64.0% of left ears. Regression analyses showed that noise exposure, DM, and HTN jointly explained 32% of the variance in right ear thresholds and 25% in the left ear. For the right ear, noise exposure (B = 18.11, 95% CI 14.68–21.54, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), DM (B = 11.40, 95% CI 7.34–15.46, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and HTN (B = 4.71, 95% CI 1.24–8.18, <i>p</i> = 0.01) were significantly associated. For the left ear, only noise exposure (B = 15.28, 95% CI 11.79–18.77, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and DM (B = 13.07, 95% CI 8.93–17.21, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were significant. Elderly Nigerians frequently present with moderately severe, sloping, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Noise exposure and DM demonstrated strong and consistent associations, while HTN showed a weaker, inconsistent relationship. Preventive strategies targeting noise and metabolic health, alongside routine hearing screening, may reduce hearing loss burden in older adults.</p>

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Noise Exposure, Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension as Predictors of Hearing Loss Among the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study in South-West, Nigeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月28日

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  • O. Ogundiran,
  • T. A. Adetunji,
  • A. C. Ogundiran,
  • E. C. Nwogu,
  • T. O. Adedeji,
  • O. A. Sogebi,
  • A. O. Olaosun

摘要

Abstract

Hearing loss is a prevalent condition in older adults, with noise exposure, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) proposed as contributing factors. However, limited data exist from sub-Saharan Africa on their combined impact. To investigate patterns, degrees and types of hearing loss among elderly patients in South-West, Nigeria and examine associations of noise exposure, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) with hearing thresholds. A retrospective review of 469 elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with documented hearing loss was conducted across six teaching hospitals. The relationship between noise exposure, DM and HTN with hearing loss was assessed using multiple regression analysis. Hearing loss was operationalized as the pure-tone average (PTA) threshold in dB HL across standard frequencies (0.5–4 kHz), treated as a continuous dependent variable. Predictor variables (noise exposure, DM, HTN) were entered as binary (absent = 0, present = 1). Model fit was assessed using R, R², F-statistics, regression coefficients (B), standardized coefficients (β), t-values, and p-values. For clinical interpretability, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for regression coefficients. A significance level of p < 0.05 was used. Bilateral, sensorineural, sloping hearing loss of moderately severe degree was the predominant pattern. Sensorineural hearing loss accounted for 65.7% of right ears and 64.0% of left ears. Regression analyses showed that noise exposure, DM, and HTN jointly explained 32% of the variance in right ear thresholds and 25% in the left ear. For the right ear, noise exposure (B = 18.11, 95% CI 14.68–21.54, p < 0.001), DM (B = 11.40, 95% CI 7.34–15.46, p < 0.001), and HTN (B = 4.71, 95% CI 1.24–8.18, p = 0.01) were significantly associated. For the left ear, only noise exposure (B = 15.28, 95% CI 11.79–18.77, p < 0.001) and DM (B = 13.07, 95% CI 8.93–17.21, p < 0.001) were significant. Elderly Nigerians frequently present with moderately severe, sloping, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Noise exposure and DM demonstrated strong and consistent associations, while HTN showed a weaker, inconsistent relationship. Preventive strategies targeting noise and metabolic health, alongside routine hearing screening, may reduce hearing loss burden in older adults.