Sensorineural Hearing Loss Likely in Patients With Rosacea

Patients with rosacea may experience high frequency sensorineural hearing loss regardless of disease type or severity, according to prospective case-control study results published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Researchers obtained detailed medical histories and skin examination results of patients with erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea at Suleyman Demirel University Hospital in Turkey from January 2021 to December 2021.

A total of 53 patients with rosacea, of whom 11 were men and 42 were women (mean age, 44.08 years) and 105 healthy individuals, of whom 19 were men and 86 were women (mean age, 43.02 years), met inclusion criteria for the study. Of the patients with rosacea, 69.8% had erythematotelangiectatic type and 30.2% had papulopustular type; mean disease duration was 7.2 years.

After a complete ear, nose, and throat examination by the same otorhinolaryngologist, pure tone audiometry with voice isolation was performed for both groups, and air conduction thresholds were measured at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 6000 Hz frequencies. Bone conduction thresholds were also measured with the same method applied to air conduction thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz frequencies, with a vibrator placed on the mastoid process.

Air and bone conduction thresholds in high frequencies showed statistically significant differences between the groups in both the right and left ear (P < .05), but there was no correlation observed between audiometric measurements and the severity of rosacea or the type of rosacea (P > .05). Moreover, there was no correlation indentified between disease duration and hearing loss measured, it was found.

Study limitations included the small sample size and the lack of generalizability based on the sole inclusion of patients with erythematelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea.

“This  is  the  first  preliminary  study  showing  that  these  patients  with  rosacea  might  also  have  neglected  hearing  problems  and  should  be  consulted  to  appropriate departments . . . We also think that it is important to carry out further studies to explain the exact underlying mechanism and prevention of hearing loss in patients with rosacea,” the researchers concluded.

Reference

Ayyaz H, MD, Sivrice E, MD, Atay E, MD. Assessment of hearing loss in patients with rosacea. J Cosmet Dermatol. Published online May 16, 2022. doi:10.1111/jocd.15089