Does hyperandrogenism have an effect on hearing loss in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Hormonal changes can affect hearing loss and inner ear functions. We evaluated hearing loss with audiometric tests in young patients with PCOS.

Twenty-six women having PCOS and 25 normal individuals were enrolled in the study. Age ranges for PCOS and control groups were 20-35 years. Hormonal and biochemical values including LH, LH/FSH, E2, testosterone, fasting glucose and fasting insulin were calculated. Each subject was tested with low- (250-2000Hz) and high-frequency audiometry (4000-8000Hz). For each set of tests, mean values of air conduction at each frequency were measured for the PCOS and control groups and compared.

No difference was observed in speech frequencies on audiologic tests between the groups, however high-frequency hearing loss were significantly higher (p<0.05) in PCOS patients than in control women. Also, hearing thresholds were normal range in all of frequencies in PCOS and control subjects. PCOS patients showed high levels of LH, LH/FSH, testosterone and fasting insulin.

Our findings suggest that patients diagnosed with PCOS should be advised audiologic evaluation especially in the high frequency.