Association between Refractive Error and Hearing Function Threshold among Spectacles Users

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the correlation between refractive errors and sensory deficits by assessing the hearing thresholds of spectacle users.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Duration and Setting of the Study: The duration of the study was 6 months. The study was conducted at the Sultana Foundation and the Isra University Islamabad Campus.

Methods: A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for participant selection. Inclusion criteria were age 18 to 25 years, current use of spectacles for any refractive error, and willingness to provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria included a history of ear surgery, head trauma, neurological disorders, active ear infections, use of hearing aids, or congenital hearing loss. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed using a self designed, close-ended questionnaire and their responses were recorded. Otoscopy was performed to examine the
status of the ear canal and tympanic membrane. Pure-tone audiometry was conducted for hearing assessment. Refractive error type was determined from the glasses through lensometry. Retinoscopy and subjective refraction were performed by an optometrist. After data collection, the data was pooled, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: Out of 250 participants, the right ear otoscopy examination shows 89.6% normal External Auditory Canal (EAC) and Tympanic Membrane (TM), 9.2% occluded EAC with wax TM not visible, and 0.2% perforated TM. The left ear otoscopy examination shows 90.0% normal EAC and TM, 9.6% occluded EAC with wax TM not visible, and 0.4% perforated TM. The right ear PTA results show 65.6% normal hearing, 14.4% Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL), 18.4% Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) and 1.6% have Mixed Hearing Loss (MHL). The left ear PTA results show 68.0% normal hearing, 12.0% CHL, 18.0% SNHL and 2.0% have MHL.

Conclusion: Refractive error was not associated with hearing loss. Other confounding factors may be responsible for their hearing loss.