Iron Deficiency May Impact Upon Hearing

ISLAMABAD, Jan 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 02nd Jan, 2017 ) : Iron deficiency anaemia besides other negative impact upon the general physical and mental growth, has been linked to possibilities of greater risk of hearing loss.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US, determined iron deficiency anaemia by low hemoglobin and ferritin levels in 305,339 adults ages 21 to 90 years, found a strong association between hearing loss and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), health news reported.

Of the patients in the study population, 43 per cent were men; average age was 50 years. Combined hearing loss is defined as any combination of conductive hearing loss (which is due to problems with the bones of the middle ear), sensorineural hearing loss (when there is damage to the cochlea or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain), deafness and unspecified hearing loss.

There was 0.7 per cent prevalence of IDA and a 1.6 per cent prevalence of combined hearing loss. Both sensorineural hearing loss (present in 1.1 per cent of individuals with IDA) and combined hearing loss (present in 3.4 per cent) were significantly associated with IDA.

Analysis confirmed increased odds of sensorineural hearing loss and combined hearing loss among adults with IDA. Since IDA is a common and easily correctable condition, further understanding of the association between IDA and all types of hearing loss may help to open new possibilities for early identification and appropriate treatment.

"The next steps are to better understand this correlation and whether promptly diagnosing and treating IDA may positively affect the overall health status of adults with hearing loss," researchers said.