SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME AS POSSIBLE CAUSES OF AUDITORY AND TUBAL DISORDERS

Introduction. Snoring occurs in 20,5% of the population, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome occurs in 5–7% of the population. Primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome contribute to the development of a number of diseases of internal organs, among which impairment of auditory and tubal function seems to be understudied. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and primary snoring on auditory and tubal functions. Material and methods. The study was conducted in two groups: the first group consisted of 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and the second group consisted of 50 patients with primary snoring. The control group consisted of 50 observed patients without primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The study protocol included patient questionnaires, examination of oropharyngeal structures, evaluation of auditory function with tonal threshold audiometry and tympanometry. Subgroup assignment was performed after registration of an apnea index of more than 5 episodes per hour. Identified forms of auditory impairment in patients of the study and control groups were processed using StatTech online software with a 95% confidence interval. Results and discussion. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant association between the risk factor (snoring) and the development of tubal dysfunction in both study groups. It was also determined that there were no significant differences in the frequency of hearing loss in the primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea groups, but when comparing with the control group, it ВЕСТНИК СОВРЕМЕННОЙ КЛИНИЧЕСКОЙ МЕДИЦИНЫ 2021 Том 14, вып. 6 47ОРИГИНАЛЬНЫЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ was found that the proportion of patients with reduced hearing in the study group was significantly higher. Correlation data were obtained between the duration of snoring and the occurrence of auditory and tubal dysfunction, due to which it can be argued that the form and severity of auditory dysfunction is influenced by the duration of snoring, the time of snoring during the sleep period, and the intensity (loudness) of snoring. The results obtained can be explained by long-term combined effects of noise and hypoxia in sleep in this category of patients, as well as by morphological and functional changes in oropharyngeal structures occurring in primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Conclusion. In all cases of chronic tubal dysfunction, especially those accompanied by hearing loss, it is advisable to examine the patient for the presence of snoring and apnea.