Evaluation of Auditory Function in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Özet

Introduction: To investigate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on auditory function. Methods: We included 120 patients with OSAS [Apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) >5]. We excluded 35 patients with 35 mild OSAS (AHI: 5–15) and 20 with moderate OSAS (AHI: 15–30). Five patients with severe OSAS along with acute and chronic otitis, systemic disease, and medical treatment history that may affect past ear operation and central and peripheral auditory system were also excluded. Finally, we included 60 patients with severe OSAS and 60 healthy controls. Both patients and controls were divided into two groups based on age: 30–40-years group and 40–60-years group. A total of 120 patients were included . Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) tests were performed at a frequency range of 250–8000 Hz for both controls and patients, and their values were compared between all the groups. Results: In the evaluation of auditory functions, there was a difference between the 30–40-years and 40–60-years control groups. There was a difference between the patient age group of 30–40 years and the patient age group of 40–60 years. There was no significant difference between other groups. Discussion and Conclusion: Hearing loss, which is not influenced by auditory functions in patients with OSAS, arises due to advanced age. Since there is uncertainty about the effect of auditory functions on patients with OSAS in the literature, further studies may be needed.