Influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ventilotherapy on hearing

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease that affects the airways, characterized by its chronic and progressive inflammation, resulting in obstruction of the respiratory flow. It’s pathogenesis leads to states of hypoxia and hypercapnia (states of low oxygen content and high carbon dioxide content, respectively, in the bloodstream), which several authors advocate as causes for the development of hearing loss. At the same time, ventilation therapy is commonly used in the treatment of this pathology, as it prevents this same respiratory obstruction. In doing so, this therapy is thought to have the potential to counteract the effects of the disease on hearing ability. This study aims to investigate whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has any influence on the auditory system, and therefore whether it can be considered a risk for the development of hearing loss, and also to assess the possibility of ventilation therapy, indirectly, effect on its attenuation or reversal.