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Background: Sensorineural hearing loss is a common cause of adult-onset auditory impairment and has significant implications on communication, social interaction, occupational functioning, and quality of life. Identification of risk factors and early audiological evaluation are important for prevention, timely rehabilitation, and reduction of disability.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical profile, severity, laterality, audiological pattern, and associated risk factors of sensorineural hearing loss in adults presenting to an ENT outpatient clinic.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 200 adult patients aged 18 years and above diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss based on pure tone audiometry. A structured proforma was used to collect demographic data, clinical symptoms, associated comorbidities, history of noise exposure, ototoxic drug intake, smoking, and family history. Audiometric severity and laterality were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of 200 patients, 114 (57.0%) were males and 86 (43.0%) were females. The mean age was 56.8 ± 13.2 years. Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 146 (73.0%) patients. The most affected age group was 51–70 years, accounting for 96 (48.0%) cases. Common symptoms included hearing difficulty in all patients, tinnitus in 116 (58.0%), and vertigo in 24 (12.0%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were common comorbidities. Noise-induced hearing loss was observed in 48 (24.0%) cases. Moderate sensorineural hearing loss was the most common severity grade. Age showed significant association with severity of hearing loss.
Conclusion: Sensorineural hearing loss is a major cause of auditory impairment among adults and is commonly bilateral in older age groups. Age, noise exposure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and ototoxic drug exposure are important associated factors. Early audiological screening, prevention of occupational noise exposure, control of comorbidities, and timely hearing rehabilitation can improve communication and quality of life.