Hearing loss linked to declining platelet counts; finds study

Both a low-normal platelet and a declining platelet count were independently associated with the incidence of low‐frequency hearing impairment (LFHI), suggests the findings from a recent study. The research report has been put forth in The Laryngoscope.

Previous lines of evidence suggest that platelets are likely to affect Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL )development, and it should be noted that SSHL is a primary risk factor for developing permanent hearing impairment. This implies that abnormal platelet counts might contribute to long-term hearing loss.

Herein, researchers investigated the correlation between platelet count and the development of hearing impairment using a large dataset from health checkups.

This study was a retrospective cohort study and consisted of a population-based survey, which was performed for 1,897 participants in 2014 to 2019. To evaluate the effect of platelet level on hearing ability, the subjects were divided into two groups: a high-normal platelet group (25 40 × 104 cells/μL) and a low-normal platelet group (15 25 × 104 cells/μL). Subjects were defined as having hearing impairment when pure tone audiometry was over 25 dB HL in either ear (tested in 2017 and 2019). Incidence of hearing impairment was analyzed.

Data analysis revealed the following facts.

• Incidence of hearing impairment at low frequencies was significantly higher in the low-normal platelet group than in the high-normal group year over year.
• Low-normal platelet count associated with low-frequency hearing impairment (LFHI) incidence (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–4.76).
• In the low-normal platelet group, subjects whose counts declined from baseline developed more LFHI than those whose counts increased over time.
• Further, decreasing platelets appeared to be an independent risk factor contributing to the incidence of LFHI (OR, 2.10; 95%CI, 1.09–4.06) in the low-normal platelet group.

Taking a cue from such results, the team concluded that both a low‐normal platelet and a declining platelet count were independently associated with the incidence of LFHI."We believe that further prospective studies, including detailed audiometric evaluation and medical examination by otolaryngologists, should be performed."they said.

For full article follow the link: Abe, Y.,Diamond-Forrester estimates for CAD Toyama, K., Kazurayama, M., Tanaka, S., Yamaizumi, M., Ueno, M., … Mogi, M. (2020). Low‐Normal Platelets and Decreasing Platelets Are Risk Factors for Hearing Impairment Development.

Primary source: The Laryngoscope