PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF PROGRESSIVE SENSORINEURAL HEARING IMPAIRMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37219/g9z6jh22Keywords:
sensorineural hearing loss, progressive course, cerebral hemodynamics, cardiovascular pathology, comorbidity, tinnitus, triggersAbstract
Background: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) remains one of the key challenges in modern otorhinolaryngology due to its tendency toward chronicity and progression. Identifying prognostic factors and triggers of hearing deterioration is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for this pathology.
Objective: To investigate the clinical features of chronic SNHL, determine the frequency of its progression, and identify the leading etiopathogenetic factors of auditory function decline.
Results: It was established that approximately 20% of chronic SNHL cases follow a progressive course. Cardiovascular pathology exerts a decisive influence on hearing degradation and disease progression. Its manifestations include microcirculatory disorders, altered blood rheological properties, and other factors that destabilize the vascular bed, primarily cerebral hemodynamics.
Adverse prognostic factors for SNHL progression include its vascular and acoustic traumatic genesis, comorbid somatic pathology (essential hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, hypercholesterolemia), and a history of acute cerebrovascular accidents. The primary triggers of acute hearing deterioration in progressive SNHL are hypertensive crises and sharp fluctuations in blood pressure, emotional and physical overstrain, stress conditions, acoustic barotrauma, and past infections (primarily COVID-19). In 84.2% of cases, the decline in auditory function is accompanied by subjective tinnitus (ear ringing).
Conclusions: The findings confirm the high sensitivity of the cochleovestibular system to hemodynamic disturbances. Comprehensive consideration of the identified comorbidities and vascular risk factors allows for predicting the course of chronic SNHL and optimizing therapeutic strategies.
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