Overview
The goal of this observational study is to learn how severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) affects the brain's ability to process sounds and attention in adults aged 20-60 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does severe OSAHS change how the brain automatically detects sound changes during wakefulness?
- Does severe OSAHS reduce people's ability to pay attention to important sounds when awake?
- Can brainwave tests (Electroencephalogram, EEG) detect early signs of hearing-related cognitive problems in OSAHS patients before symptoms appear?
Researchers will compare two groups:
- 50 adults with severe OSAHS (diagnosed by sleep tests)
- 50 healthy adults matched by age and gender
Participants will:
- Complete hearing tests (MoCA)
- Undergo a 1-night sleep test (PSG)
- Wear an EEG cap for 1.5-2 hours while listening to sounds in a quiet room:
- Passive task: Relax (no response needed)
- Active task: Press a button when hearing rare sounds
- Receive ¥75/hour compensation for their time
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
All Participants:
- Aged 20-60 years
- Normal hearing (PTA ≤25 dB HL at 0.5,1,2,4 kHz; Type A tympanogram)
- MoCA score ≥26
- Willing to complete EEG testing
OSAHS Group Additional:
- PSG-confirmed severe OSAHS (AHI >30 events/hour)
Control Group Additional:
- Self-reported absence of snoring/sleep disorders
- No prior OSAHS diagnosis
Exclusion Criteria:
All Participants:
- History of:
- Schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's, TBI, or language disorders
- Middle/inner ear diseases (otitis media, acoustic neuroma, etc.)
- Cognitive impairment or depression/anxiety disorders
- Chronic steroid use
- Systemic inflammatory diseases or malignancies
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy (self-reported)