TyG Index May Predict Poor Cochlear Recovery in Sudden Hearing Loss, suggests study
According to a new study, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index may help identify patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) who are at higher risk of poor cochlear recovery. This could support earlier risk stratification and more targeted management. The study was published in the Journal of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery by Li-Yuan Z. and colleagues.
A total of 944 clinically characterized adults who presented with acute SSNHL from January 2018 to March 2024 formed the population of study participants. Only eligible patients who sought clinical services within two weeks after onset and underwent a structured treatment protocol along with proper audiometry tests were included. Any cases of hearing loss that had a secondary, conductive, or recurrent structure were eliminated.
Metabolic exposure in this context was estimated using the TyG index that was calculated using the following validated formula: [fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL) × triglycerides (mg/dL)/2]. Clinical auditory outcomes were assessed exactly two weeks after treatment initiation using Siegel’s classification criteria that classified patients as having achieved complete or incomplete hearing recovery.
Key findings:
- The baseline population had an average age of 43.7 years, with a standard deviation of 15.6 years. The study had 458 males (48.5%).
- Of the total 944 participants in the study, 208 (22.0%) participants made a full recovery on their audiograms.
- The percentage of patients making full recovery was lower in the highest TyG index tertile compared to the other two lower tertiles (14.3% [45 out of 315 patients] vs. 24.4% [77 out of 315 patients] vs. 27.4% [86 out of 314 patients], respectively) (P < .001).
- Multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for all factors showed that patients in the highest TyG tertile were at a 1.93 times risk of not making a complete recovery (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.29).
- An increase of one unit in the base-line TyG index was associated with 1.55 times increase in incomplete cochlear recovery (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.29).
Overall, higher values of TyG index showed independent association with poor hearing recovery in SSNHL patients. These results will serve as a basis for contemporary otolaryngology, showing that optimal repair of sensory tissue is possible only under control of metabolism and vessels.
Reference:
Zhang, L.-Y., Chen, Q., Wang, J., Chen, R.-X., Zhou, W.-C., Chen, Z.-B., & Cheng, L. (2026). Elevated triglyceride glucose index is associated with poor hearing recovery in sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Le Journal d’oto-Rhino-Laryngologie et de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale [Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery], 55(19160216261462443), 19160216261462443. https://doi.org/10.1177/19160216261462443
