Use of beta blockers is associated with hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that patients using β-blockers will develop hearing loss. Design: A cross-sectional study. Study sample: A total of 125 patients completed the study. A total of 63 patients were on β-blockers and 62 were not on β-blockers. Results: Carvedilol was significantly associated with hearing loss. Other beta-blockers including metoprolol and atenolol showed no association with hearing loss. Linear multiple regression analysis was run including variables of gender, age, ischaemic heart disease, cardiac failure/dilated cardiomyopathy, frusemide and carvedilol use as predictors for total hearing loss severity at all frequencies. Age and gender, as well as carvedilol, were found to be the only statistically significant predictors for hearing loss severity. Conclusion: Chronic use of carvedilol was associated with significant hearing loss. This may need to be taken into account when prescribing the drug. Further randomised controlled studies with baseline audiometric hearing tests before starting treatment, and periodic follow-up tests, would provide a better assessment of the effect of carvedilol on hearing.