Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Certain sensory system functions are affected somehow in acromegaly, however auditory complications have not been identified in detail yet. It is possible that widespread changes in acromegaly may also affect auditory system. We aimed to determine the changes involving auditory system in cases with acromegaly.

Methods/design: Otological examination of 41 cases with acromegaly (active n=22, inactive n=19) were compared with that of age and gender-matched 42 healthy subjects (HS). All cases in acromegaly group (AG) underwent examination with pure tone audiometry (PTA), speech audiometry for speech discrimination (SD), tympanometry, stapedius reflex (SR) evaluation and otoacoustic emission (OAE) tests whereas the control group had only otological examination and PTA. Additionally, previously performed paranasal sinus computed tomography of all cases with acromegaly and control subjects were obtained to measure the length of Internal Acoustic Canal (IAC).

Results: In AG and HS PTA values were 20 (15–30) and 13 (12–15) dB in right ears (P<0.001) and, were 20 (13–28) and13 (12–15) dB in left ears (P<0.001). SD scores in AG and HS were 92 (84–96)% and 96 (92–96)% in right and, 92 (84–96)% and 96 (92–96)% in left (P=0.002). IAC width in AG was narrower compared to that in CG (In AG 4.5 (4.1–5.3) mm and in CG 4.9 (4.4–6.2), P=0.04 for right ears. In AG 4.5 (4.2–5.4) mm and in CG 5.2 (5–7) mm P=0.009 for left ears). PTA values of AG in left ears had positive correlation with GH and IGF1 levels (r=0.4, P=0.02 and r=0.3, P=0.03). Thirteen (32%) cases in AG had hearing loss, 7 (54%) was sensorineural type and 6 (46%) was conductive type hearing loss.

Conclusion: Acromegaly may cause certain changes in auditory system. These changes may be multifactorial causing both conductive and sensorioneural defects.