Audiometric profile of patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome at the Kinshasa University Hospital

Abstract

Context and objective. Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a respiratory disorder characterized by repeated breathing pauses during sleep. The resulting hypoxia can lead to damage of the inner ear hair cells and result in hearing loss. The present study aimed to establish the audiometric profile of patients with OSAHS and to investigate the factors associated with hearing loss. Methods. This was a cross-sectional, analytical, single-center study conducted from July 15, 2023 to April 28, 2024. The study included patients aged 18 years and older. Variables of interest included sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data, as well as auditory function test results and polysomnographic parameters. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the factors associated with hearing loss. Results. The median age was 50 years, with a male predominance of 66.7%. Severe OSAHS, defined by a high apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), was present in 38% of cases. Severe obesity (based on BMI) was observed in 42% of participants. The audiometric profile of the study population revealed mild hearing loss in 54.5% of cases. Patients aged > 60 years and AHI emerged as factors independently associated with hearing loss. Conclusion. There is a significant association between OSAHS and hearing loss, particularly among patients aged 60 and above, those with moderate to severe OSAHS, and those with severe obesity. These findings suggest the involvement of pathophysiological mechanisms such as intermittent hypoxia and oxidative stress. Systematic audiological screening and a multidisciplinary approach are recommended, especially for high-risk patients. Received: December 14th, 2024 Accepted: June 12th, 2025 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v18i4.6