Washington : Scientists have found that iron deficiency anaemia may increase the risk of hearing loss, a finding that may open new possibilities for early identification and appropriate treatment of the condition, says PTI.
For the study, researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US determined iron deficiency anaemia by low hemoglobin and ferritin levels for age and sex in 305,339 adults ages 21 to 90 years; associations between hearing loss and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) were then evaluated.
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.
