Role of Hearing Loss in Otolaryngology Surgical Outcomes

Objective The role of hearing loss (HL) in surgical outcomes is not well studied and could greatly impact the lives of patients in the post-operative setting. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent subspecialty surgeries in Otolaryngology. Patients were recruited from 58 health care organizations in the TriNetX Research Network. Methods Analysis was performed on data from January 2004 to January 2024. Patients with a history of subspecialty otolaryngologic surgical procedures with HL. Cohorts were matched for demographics, comorbidities, and hearing aid use. Post-surgical complications within 30 days of procedure were compared between patients with HL and those without. Results Rates of post-op surgical site infection (SSI) were higher in patients who had HL after Head and Neck (HN) procedures compared to those who did not (AR 2.03%, OR 1.22, [1.01 – 1.48], P < 0.01). Emergency Department (ED) visits after surgery were higher in the HL cohort for HN (AR 8.12%, OR 1.31, [1.20 – 1.49], P < 0.01), and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS) (AR 4.58%, OR 1.13, [1.05 – 1.22], P < 0.01). Rates of wound disruption was higher in patients who had HL after HN procedures compared to those who did not (AR 1.34%, OR 1.27, [1.01 – 1.61], P < 0.05). In otology, HL patients had lower rates of cellulitis and abscess, and wound disruption ( P < 0.05), along with lower rates of ED visits and readmission ( P < 0.01. Conclusion Patients with HL had a higher risk of ED visits with HN, and FPRS procedures. The rate of SSI and dehiscence was higher in the HL cohort for HN. Level of evidence Level III (retrospective cohort study).