The Effect of Central Obesity on the Auditory Threshold of 25 to 40-Year-Old Men and Women

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Student, Student Research Committee, Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 PhD Candidate, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Audiologist, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

10.22122/jrrs.v13i4.2872

Abstract

Introduction: The auditory system is one of the sensitive organ of the human being, and plays a primary role in the life. Overweighting is a risk factor with possibly effects on the sensory and motor systems including vision, proprioception, and hearing. In this study, we compared the effects of central obesity on the auditory thresholds between men and women.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we studied 60 participants (30 women and 30 men) aged 25-40 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were measured for all of the participants. In addition, getting history, examining by autoscope, tympanometry, and audiometry were done for the patients. Finally, low frequency average (250, 500, and 1000 Hz) and high frequency average (2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz) were compared between men and women using independent t-test in SPSS software.Results: Comparing the mean auditory thresholds showed a significant statistically difference between the men and women (P < 0.001). Central obesity had significant effects on high-frequency thresholds in women (P < 0.0001). In contrast, central obesity had no significant effects on high-frequency thresholds in women (P > 0.050).Conclusion: It seems that the central obesity has not a significant effect on the male auditory system. In contrast, the significant ones could be seen in the females’ auditory system.

Keywords

  1. Lee TW, Ko IS, Lee KJ. Health promotion behaviors and quality of life among community-dwelling elderly in Korea: A cross-sectional survey. Int J Nurs Stud 2006; 43(3): 293-300.
  2. Van Eyken E, Van Camp G, Van LaerL. The complexity of age-related hearing impairment: Contributing environmental and genetic factors. Audiol Neurootol 2007; 12(6): 345-58.
  3. Mostafa H, Saad M, El-Attar A, Ahmed G, Berrettini S, Forli F, et al. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes and dysfunctions in presbyacusis. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 2014; 34(1): 54-61.
  4. Gonzalez-Gonzalez S. The role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in hearing loss. Neurol Disord Therap 2017; 1(4): 1-5.
  5. Yamasoba T. Molecular mechanism of age-related hearing loss: Toward its prevention. Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho 2009; 112(5): 414-21. [In Japanese].
  6. Pan WH, Yeh WT, Weng LC. Epidemiology of metabolic syndrome in Asia. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2008; 17(Suppl 1): 37-42.
  7. Misra A, Khurana L. The metabolic syndrome in South Asians: Epidemiology, determinants, and prevention. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2009; 7(6): 497-514.
  8. Wasir JS, Misra A, Vikram NK, Pandey RM, Gupta R. Comparison of definitions of the metabolic syndrome in adult Asian Indians. J Assoc Physicians India 2008; 56: 158-64.
  9. Enas EA, Mohan V, Deepa M, Farooq S, Pazhoor S, Chennikkara H. The metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia among Asian Indians: a population with high rates of diabetes and premature coronary artery disease. J Cardiometab Syndr 2007; 2(4): 267-75.
  10. Abdollahi S, Toupchian O, Rahmati M, Honarkar S, Djafarian K. The association between obesity and quality of life among the elderly. International Journal of Health Studies 2016; 2(2): 17-22.
  11. Hwang JH, Wu CC, Hsu CJ, Liu TC, Yang WS. Association of central obesity with the severity and audiometric configurations of age-related hearing impairment. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2009; 17(9): 1796-801.
  12. Misra A. Ethnic-specific criteria for classification of body mass index: A perspective for Asian Indians and American diabetes association position statement. Diabetes Technol Ther 2015; 17(9): 667-71.
  13. Lalwani AK, Katz K, Liu YH, Kim S, Weitzman M. Obesity is associated with sensorineural hearing loss in adolescents. Laryngoscope 2013; 123(12): 3178-84.
  14. Alberti KG, Zimmet P, Shaw J. Metabolic syndrome--a new world-wide definition. A Consensus Statement from the International Diabetes Federation. Diabet Med 2006; 23(5): 469-80.
  15. Ecob R, Russ S, Davis A. BMI over the lifecourse and hearing ability at age 45 years: A population based study. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies 2011; 2(3): 242-59.
  16. Fransen E, Topsakal V, Hendrickx JJ, Van LL, Huyghe JR, Van EE, et al. Occupational noise, smoking, and a high body mass index are risk factors for age-related hearing impairment and moderate alcohol consumption is protective: a European population-based multicenter study. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2008; 9(3): 264-76.
  17. Hesse G, Hesch RD. Evaluation of risk factors in various forms of inner ear hearing loss. HNO 1986; 34(12): 503-7. [In German].
  18. Sturm R. Increases in morbid obesity in the USA: 2000-2005. Public Health 2007; 121(7): 492-6.
  19. Moon IJ, Byun H, Woo SY, Gwak GY, Hong SH, Chung WH, et al. Factors associated with age-related hearing impairment: A retrospective cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94(43): e1846.
  20. Curhan SG, Eavey R, Wang M, Stampfer MJ, Curhan GC. Body mass index, waist circumference, physical activity, and risk of hearing loss in women. Am J Med 2013; 126(12): 1142-8.