Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Last fall I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation which led to my diagnosis of severe sleep apnea, which I've probably had for years. I am a relative newbie, having been using the CPAP for a little over 3 months. I also have severe to moderate senseroneural hearing loss, worse in my left ear than right, and have been wearing hearing aids for about 10 years. In searching the web for information about sleep apnea (which is how I found this very helpful website!) I learned that some studies show a link between sleep apnea and hearing loss. The medical professionals I've asked about this are not familiar with the link. Bearing in mind that correlation and causation are two different things, I wonder if any of you know any more about this and I'm wondering if there has ever been a pole taken here on how many of us CPAP users have a hearing loss. (Being a newbie, forgive me if I'm repeating material that has already been discussed.)
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Hi bettiola,
For what it is worth, I was initially diagnosed with a mild hearing loss several years ago and diagnosed with apnea in 2012 although I suspect I have had it alot longer. Hard to say what mine is due to since I worked in a very noisy place at the time of the initial diagnosis and I was taking psych meds with ototoxic properties.
49er
For what it is worth, I was initially diagnosed with a mild hearing loss several years ago and diagnosed with apnea in 2012 although I suspect I have had it alot longer. Hard to say what mine is due to since I worked in a very noisy place at the time of the initial diagnosis and I was taking psych meds with ototoxic properties.
49er
bettiola wrote:Last fall I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation which led to my diagnosis of severe sleep apnea, which I've probably had for years. I am a relative newbie, having been using the CPAP for a little over 3 months. I also have severe to moderate senseroneural hearing loss, worse in my left ear than right, and have been wearing hearing aids for about 10 years. In searching the web for information about sleep apnea (which is how I found this very helpful website!) I learned that some studies show a link between sleep apnea and hearing loss. The medical professionals I've asked about this are not familiar with the link. Bearing in mind that correlation and causation are two different things, I wonder if any of you know any more about this and I'm wondering if there has ever been a pole taken here on how many of us CPAP users have a hearing loss. (Being a newbie, forgive me if I'm repeating material that has already been discussed.)
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Gradual hearing loss is normal as we age whether OSA is involved or not.
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/tc/a ... c-overview
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/tc/a ... c-overview
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
I don't know if there is a correlation between the two or not, but I was diagnosed with hearing loss as a child in 1949 and started first grade with hearing aids. My OSA diagnosis occurred in February 2014. I would guess that there's no correlation between the two but I have not seen studies to substantiate it.
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
My wife blames her hearing loss on my sleep apnea...
Pre CPAP of course.
Pre CPAP of course.
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
The Gunns
- chunkyfrog
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
One bad ear (moderate loss), very gradual loss for years since I was a kid.
Infection after too much fun in a stock tank full of cold water.
Loss not noticed until tinnitis was bad enough to affect my disposition.
Since I only need one aid, I treat myself to a new one every 3 or 4 years.
Infection after too much fun in a stock tank full of cold water.
Loss not noticed until tinnitis was bad enough to affect my disposition.
Since I only need one aid, I treat myself to a new one every 3 or 4 years.
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Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her |
Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Thanks all for your input! I do know that hearing loss increases with age, but these studies show a correlation even when adjusting for age-related hearing loss:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 152949.htm
https://www.sleepapnea.com/blog/post/95 ... ur-hearing
This seems to be a relatively new discovery so not much is known at this point. I'm hoping there will soon be follow-up research. I would love it if treating my severe sleep apnea could improve my hearing, even a little, but I'm not counting on it!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 152949.htm
https://www.sleepapnea.com/blog/post/95 ... ur-hearing
This seems to be a relatively new discovery so not much is known at this point. I'm hoping there will soon be follow-up research. I would love it if treating my severe sleep apnea could improve my hearing, even a little, but I'm not counting on it!
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Quattro™ Air Full Face Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Pressure setting 10-16 |
Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Would not expect using CPAP to improve damaged hearing.
Current Settings PS 4.0 over 10.6-18.0 (cmH2O) - Resmed S9 VPAP Auto w/h5i Humidifier - Quattro Air FFM
TNET Sleep Resource Pages - CPAP Machine Database
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Kevin... alias Krelvin
TNET Sleep Resource Pages - CPAP Machine Database
Put your equip in your Signature - SleepyHead v1.0.0-beta-1
Kevin... alias Krelvin
- chunkyfrog
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
It does make sense, especially with nerve-related hearing loss.
Hypoxia and inflammation both take a toll on neural tissue.
Reducing inflammation might actually help.
Hypoxia and inflammation both take a toll on neural tissue.
Reducing inflammation might actually help.
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Re: Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
I would doubt there is a link although we are all different so it could apply to some.
I am suffering increasing hearing loss (and of course am a CPAP candidate) but suspect it is genetic in my case - my mother was increasingly deaf in her later years. I was always careful to use ear plugs and muffs when operating noisy machinery although cannot discount it had an affect.
Maybe OLDER AGE -> both hearing and sleeping difficulties to people but that does not prove a link between them.
I am suffering increasing hearing loss (and of course am a CPAP candidate) but suspect it is genetic in my case - my mother was increasingly deaf in her later years. I was always careful to use ear plugs and muffs when operating noisy machinery although cannot discount it had an affect.
Maybe OLDER AGE -> both hearing and sleeping difficulties to people but that does not prove a link between them.
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