The research findings revealed a significant correlation between sleep apnoea and varying degrees of hearing loss. Participants diagnosed with sleep apnoea exhibited a 31% increase in high-frequency hearing loss, a 90% increase in low-frequency hearing loss, and a 38% increase in combined hearing loss. Dr. Chopra underscored the implications, stating, "Customers with sleep apnoea face heightened risks of various comorbidities, such as heart disease and diabetes, and our findings suggest an elevated risk of hearing [loss] as well."
Dr. Chopra's 2014 hypothesis proposed a potential obstruction of vascular flow to the cochlea, a crucial component of the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses transmitted to the brain. This obstruction, termed cochlear damage, can lead to sensorineural
hearing loss.
Despite the established correlation between sleep apnoea and hearing loss, the study refrains from concluding that sleep apnoea directly causes hearing impairment. Dr. Chopra emphasised the critical need for further research to comprehensively identify specific mechanisms that could help prevent hearing loss associated with sleep apnoea.
