Publication:

Hearing assessment in chronic kidney disease patients: a cross-sectional study

Background It is well known that chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes different systemic and otorhinolaryngologic manifestations due to the accumulation of waste products, osmotic alteration, and antigenic similarity between basement membrane of the glomerulus and stria vascularis of the inner ear.

Methods The study subjects were divided into two groups, 50 CKD patients and 50 healthy volunteers in age group 15-60 years. All CKD patients and controls were subjected to hearing assessment using standard pure tone audiometry.

Results For low frequency hearing loss increased from stage 2 and 3 to stage 4 and 5, and for high frequency hearing loss among stage 2 and 3 CKD patients was mild to moderate (65.22%) in nature and hearing loss increased in intensity (i.e. severe to profound) in stage 4 and 5 of CKD patients. Dialysis patients were having more severe hearing loss in comparison to non dialysis patients. Hearing loss was negatively correlated with the eGFR. And positively correlated with the duration of the disease (CKD).

Conclusions Our study highlights the pattern of hearing loss in people suffering from chronic kidney disease who were either on dialysis or not on dialysis. Early identification can prevent further deterioration of hearing in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.