Sleep apnoea and hearing loss - what's the link?

The disruptive noise of someone's snoring while attempting to get some shut-eye can be an aggravating experience. However, persistent snoring might point towards a deeper concern – sleep apnoea. This chronic condition manifests as intermittent breathing pauses during sleep, occurring frequently and lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Consequently, individuals with sleep apnoea might experience a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain.

Dr. Amit Chopra, a respected Pulmonologist at Albany Medical Centre in New York, delved into the effects of sleep apnoea on the human body, specifically exploring its potential association with hearing loss. In a comprehensive study conducted in May 2014, Dr. Chopra and his team surveyed 13,967 participants to examine the potential link between sleep apnoea and hearing impairment.

The research findings revealed a significant correlation between sleep apnoea and varying degrees of hearing loss. Participants diagnosed with sleep apnoea exhibited a 31% increase in high-frequency hearing loss, a 90% increase in low-frequency hearing loss, and a 38% increase in combined hearing loss. Dr. Chopra underscored the implications, stating, "Customers with sleep apnoea face heightened risks of various comorbidities, such as heart disease and diabetes, and our findings suggest an elevated risk of hearing [loss] as well."

Dr. Chopra's 2014 hypothesis proposed a potential obstruction of vascular flow to the cochlea, a crucial component of the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses transmitted to the brain. This obstruction, termed cochlear damage, can lead to sensorineural hearing loss.

Despite the established correlation between sleep apnoea and hearing loss, the study refrains from concluding that sleep apnoea directly causes hearing impairment. Dr. Chopra emphasised the critical need for further research to comprehensively identify specific mechanisms that could help prevent hearing loss associated with sleep apnoea.