Is sleep apnea truly associated with hearing loss? A nationwide, population-based study with STOP-BANG questionnaire

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on hearing ability.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the population-based survey data collected by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. The data included 3,575 participants who completed the STOP-BANG questionnaire (SBQ) and pure-tone audiometry. OSA risk was assessed using the SBQ, and the hearing level was compared between the risk groups.

Results

Among the 3,575 participants, 2,152 (60.2%), 891 (24.9%), and 532 (14.9%) were classified as being low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. The intermediate- and high-risk groups showed significantly worse hearing levels than the low-risk group. When age and sex

SUBMITTER: Lee J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10274574 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature