ABSTRACT
Declining hearing sensitivity is appreciated as a normal age related change. However, studies reveal that health variables other than age play significant role in hearing impairment over time. Hypertension is one such variable. The objective of this study was to assess whether the hypertension has an accelerating effect on age related reduction in hearing function in males in the age group of 40-60 years. Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure and Pure Tone thresholds in frequency range 250-8000 Hz were measured in 30 known hypertensive (HT) male subjects in the age group of 40-60 years and 30 age and sex-matched normotensive (NT) controls. There was no significant difference in hearing thresholds at various frequencies between HT and NT group and between uncontrolled HT (n=15) and controlled HT subgroups (n=15). However, a significantly positive correlation between the systolic blood pressure and Air conduction thresholds at 4000 Hz and 8000 Hz and Bone conduction thresholds at 4000 Hz were noted in uncontrolled HT subgroup. Results of the current study demonstrated towards the potentially negative impact of uncontrolled hypertension on the auditory function in the age group of 40-60 years.