Abstract
As part of a large-scale study of presbyacusis, responses to a medicinal drug questionnaire from 85 female and 126 male human subjects were analyzed. Medicinal drugs were divided into 35 categories based on their pharmacologic effects. Subjects' ages ranged from 60 to 82 years. At least 10% of subjects reported taking drugs in 14 of 35 categories. Results were significantly different between female and male subjects. In men, none of the 14 categories showed a statistically significant relation to the pure-tone average (PTA) of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. In women, 3 of the 14 categories showed a statistically significant relation to the PTA. First, the average PTA of female subjects taking β-adrenergic medication was 20 dB higher (poorer) than those not taking β-adrenergic medication. Second, women taking antihistamine/cold preparations had an average PTA 9 dB higher (poorer) than those not taking antihistamine/cold preparations. Third, the average PTA of women taking calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) was 12 dB lower (better) than those not taking CCBs. In men, however, these drugs produced effects on the PTA of less than 3 dB. Differences between women and men were not explainable by differences in age or hearing level.
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