Hyperuricemia Effects Auditory Functions

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this article is to study the effect of hyperuricemia on auditory functions. Materials and Methods: This was an academic institution (Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, HP, India)-based, prospective, observational case–control study with 25 hyperuricemic individuals. Individuals with any confounding factor were excluded from the study. Cochlear functions were evaluated using pure tone audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Results: This study found reduced responses at higher frequencies on DPOAE and TEOAE in the case group. On TEOAE, statistically significant difference was observed in the signal-noise ratio at 4 and 3 KHz with P < 0.001. Signal-noise ratio of DPOAE was also found statistically significant at 5 and 6 KHz. Conclusions: This study found association of asymptomatic hyperuricemia and hearing loss, especially at high frequencies. In our opinion, hyperuricemia causes cochlear damage through crystal formation and minor vessel atherosclerosis.