Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the progression of the audiometric pattern of serial screening tests in companies with hearing conservation program (HCP) to clinical audiometric tests to identify individuals more susceptible to develop cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The procedure is based on the analysis of various audiometric patterns that have been demonstrated to have a statistically significant relation to certain CVDs. Identifying these individuals, based on pattern progression of hearing loss, could result in earlier detection to prevent disease or decrease its morbidity.
Study design: Using the data from the clinical and screening audiograms, pattern analysis was performed and statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test, odds ratios and P values were used to calculate the confidence intervals.
Methods: The analysis was based on potential risk factors related to CVD in 29 cohorts of 10,105 subjects. Of these, a total of 704 subjects also had clinical audiometric tests and examination by an ENT to verify the exactitude of the screening test questionnaire and pattern relation with the clinical audiogram.
Results: A first analysis was made on 704 subjects who had clinical evaluation and clinical audiometric tests showed results comparable to those of Friedland. A correlation between the questionnaire of the clinical and the self-reporting screening tests questionnaires was performed and showed a correlation between the following risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking. Analysis of the progression of audiometric patterns suggested a relationship with the predictive probabilities of developing CVDs.
Conclusion: Progression toward low-frequency hearing loss patterns provides early identification of patients whose audiometric pattern progression suggests increased probability of developing CVDs. The treating physician, by prescribing further investigations, could potentially prevent or reduce the morbidity of these diseases.
Level of evidence: III.
Keywords: Hearing loss; audiometric pattern; cardiovascular disease; early detection.