Correlation between Hearing Impairment and the Triglyceride Glucose Index in Middle-Aged Female Based on a Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background and Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance, as measured by the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index), and hearing impairment in middle-aged women in Korea. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional survey utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV (2007-2009), specifically from the period after July 21, 2009, when hearing test results became available, and from the KNHANES V (2010-2012). This study was conducted on 5416 women aged 40 to 69 who had completed both the health examination survey and audiometric tests, excluding those with missing data on menopausal status and the use of hormone replacement therapy. Results : In the study group, the prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss according to the TyG index was significantly higher in the mild hearing loss group (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.49, p < 0.001) and the moderate hearing loss group (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.48, p = 0.002). Conversely, the prevalence of low-frequency hearing loss did not show a significant difference in either the mild hearing loss group (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.37, p = 0.065) and the moderate hearing loss group (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.35, p = 0.199) Conclusions : Since diabetes can induce hearing impairment in women, it is recommended that women with a high TyG index undergo early hearing tests.