Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external stimulus, often coexists with hearing loss. As hearing loss increases, so does the incidence of tinnitus. Vitamin B12, a co-enzyme essential for cell growth and DNA synthesis, plays a crucial role in myelin protein synthesis. Deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to axonal degeneration, de-myelinization and neuronal death, affecting cochlear function and potentially causing hearing loss and tinnitus. This study aimed to explore the relationship between hearing loss, tinnitus and Vitamin B12 deficiency. To analyse Vitamin B12 levels in patients with tinnitus experiencing high frequency and low frequency hearing loss. This cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months (January 2021 to July 2022) at the Department of ENT, Ramaiah Medical College Hospital, Bangalore. A total of 70 patients with tinnitus were enrolled after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients with prior ear surgeries, objective tinnitus, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, ear trauma, psychiatric illness, or congenital otological issues were excluded. Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) assessed hearing loss, categorized into high and low frequency. Serum Vitamin B12 levels were measured using Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Patients were divided into two groups (35 each) based on PTA results. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as levels below 150 pg/mL. Descriptive statistics summarized Vitamin B12 levels and Chi square tests compared deficiencies across groups. A significant age-related difference was observed between high and low frequency hearing loss groups, indicating that hearing loss with tinnitus is more common in older adults. Additionally, tinnitus duration showed a significant difference between groups, with low frequency hearing loss more prevalent in those with tinnitus for one year or less. No significant differences in Vitamin B12 levels were found between age groups, genders, or tinnitus duration. Mean Serum Vitamin B12 was 407.95±353.98 pg/mL in the high frequency group and 337.99±343.16 pg/mL in the low frequency group, with no significant difference between the groups. High and low frequency hearing loss with tinnitus is more prevalent in older adults. A significant difference was noted in tinnitus duration, with low frequency hearing loss more common in shorter durations of tinnitus. However, no relationship was found between Serum Vitamin B12 levels and hearing loss or tinnitus.
How to cite this article:
Sanjana S. Raj, Sanjay B. Patil and C. Chandrakiran. Comparison of Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients of Tinnitus with High Frequency Hearing Loss and Low Frequency Hearing Loss.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2024.7.18.692.696
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2024.7.18.692.696