Hearing loss in chronic renal failure patients: An empirical analysis

Pages: 984-987
Vivek K. Jha (Department of Audiology and Speech, Language Pathology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana)

The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence of hearing loss and to describe the hearing impairment and the possible contributing factors, responsible for sensori neural hearing loss in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. This was a prospective study carried out on 30 cases of CRF attending otorhinolaryngological and dialysis services for hearing disturbance and on 30 healthy volunteers for control study, having the same inclusion criteria except (does not suffering with CRF) having normal renal function tests. These volunteers attended the ENT OPD, for oto-rhino-laryngological services but not for hearing problems. The results of the statistical analysis are as follows, Severity of hearing loss in different frequencies was not the same.60% of the chronic renal failure patients is having sensorineural hearing loss. 6.6% is found to have conductive hearing loss, 3.4 % is found to have mixed hearing loss, 8 % is found to have noise induced hearing loss and 22% is found to have normal hearing. Hearing loss is a common finding in patients with chronic renal failure, and deafness may occur during the course of haemodialysis. The present study also indicate that the hearing loss is progressive in nature. Urea, ototoxins, axonal uremic neuropathy, anemia, and toxic degradation products from cellulose acetate dialyzer membranes are all possible aetiologic factors for hearing loss in CRF patients. We hope that a prospective study on this subject may clarify the relationship between hearing loss and chronic renal failure and its treatment.