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Video

Otology/Neurotology

(A854) Psychotic Disorder Risk Among Hearing Loss Patients: Does Gender Matter?

Monday, October 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location: OTO EXPO, Posters
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Alec A. Kadrie, BS

    Medical Student
    UTHSC - College of Medicine
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Olivia Sosnoski, MS, MS4

    MS4
    UTHSC
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Samuel H. Smith, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Samuel H. Smith, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Disclosure(s):
Olivia Sosnoski, MS, MS4: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Alec A. Kadrie, BS: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: Hearing loss (HL) is a prevalent sensory impairment associated with significant psychosocial consequences. While associations between sensory deficits and mood disorders are established, the relationship between hearing loss and psychotic disorders remain unexplored. This study evaluates risk of developing non-mood psychotic disorders in individuals with HL and investigates potential gender-specific differences.

Methods: Data was collected via TriNetX, using patient information from the Tennessee Clinical Trials Network. ICD codes for all hearing loss types were queried. A total of 3,328,330 patients without HL and 44,630 patients with HL were identified. ICD codes for non-mood psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorder were applied. Association between non-mood psychotic disorders and HL was assessed using Chi-square tests with unadjusted odds ratios.

Results: Compared to the non-HL population, the HL group had significantly increased odds of co-morbid psychotic disorder (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 2.69-3.03, p < 0.01). Men with HL had OR 2.29 (95% CI 2.10-2.48, p < 0.01) of psychotic disorder compared to men without HL. Women with HL had OR 3.50 (95% CI 3.36-3.81, p < 0.01) of psychotic disorder compared to women without HL, suggesting a particular vulnerability.

Among the non-HL population, men had an OR = 1.48 (CI 95% 1.45-1.51, p < 0.01) of a psychotic disorder compared to women, indicating increased risk. Among HL patients, men and women with HL had comparable odds (p = 0.55) of psychotic disorders.

Conclusions: Individuals with HL have nearly three times the odds of having a psychotic disorder compared to those without HL. Among all groups, women with HL had the highest increase in odds co-morbid psychotic disorder. While there was gender-associated bias in the non-HL group, the risk between men and women with HL was similar.

These findings align with current research linking sensory deficits to neurobiological vulnerability and social isolation, which may lead to psychosis. Increased odds in women may reflect unique stressors or disparities in assessment and treatment.