Caracterización de los posibles factores de riesgo asociados a la hipoacusia en pacientes que acudieron al centro auditivo GAES Azogues julio 2018-diciembre 2020

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss is the dysfunction on the hearing ability which occurs in different levels of intensity, extensions, and topography. Pure-tone audiometry has been used to measure hearing loss impairment. Some of the risk factors prevailing in patients with hearing loss are, among others, age, sex, occupation, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and noise exposure. It is important to study risk factors influencing hearing loss in order to prevent them. Objective: To characterize potential risk factors associated with hearing loss in patients who attended the GAES Azogues Hearing Center from July 2018 to December 2020. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in order to analyze the medical records and audiometry test results of 172 patients who underwent attended the GAES Azogues Hearing Center from July 2018 to December 2020. Information was recorder in a data collection form and the results were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 27 Microsoft Excel. Results: The presence of sensorineural hearing loss with recorded by 85,5%, with prevalence in male patients by 59.9%, those over 65 years of age by 57%, as well as a moderate degree by 61%, and bilateral extension by 89,5%. The most prevailing risk factors associated with hearing loss are arterial hypertension, by 87.5%, and noise exposure, by 86.7%. These show the presence of sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions: The risk factor with the highest percentage is the cardiovascular disease known as arterial hypertension. The audiometry tests results show predominance of hearing loss of the sensorineural type, featuring moderate degree and bilateral extension. It is relevant in men over 65 years of age.