BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hearing thresholds.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty women diagnosed with PCOS (mean age, 24.33±6.38 years) and 40 healthy women controls (mean age, 26.38±6.75 years) were included in prospective study. Each case was tested with low (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz), high (4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz) and extended high (EH) (9000–20000 Hz) frequency audiometry. The fasting plasma glucose, insulin, FSH, LH, total testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured in all patients.

RESULTS: The mean hearing thresholds at EH frequencies were statistically significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p=0.001 right ear and p=0.015 left ear). There were significant positive correlations among free testosterone index (FTI) values and hirsutism scores with EH frequency hearing thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS: At pure-tone audiometry (PTA) EH frequencies, we detected significantly higher hearing thresholds in PCOS patients than in controls. We also determined that elevated FTI and hirsutism score were positively correlated with elevated hearing thresholds in EH frequencies. These findings support that hyperandrogenism can play a role in the elevation of hearing thresholds in PCOS.

Keywords: Audiometry, Pure-Tone - methods, Adolescent, Blood Glucose - metabolism, Case-Control Studies, Hearing - physiology, Hirsutism - blood, Hyperandrogenism - complications, Insulin - blood, Insulin Resistance, Luteinizing Hormone - blood, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - complications, Prospective Studies, Testosterone - blood