HEARING LOSS IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE - AN ASSESSMENT OF MULTIPLE AETIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Introduction: Sensorineural hearing loss in chronic renal failure is believed to be of multifactorial etiology. Associated hypertension and diabetes mellitus, use of ototoxic drugs, hemodialysis and the changes in metabolic parameters are the various reasons quoted for the hearing loss. Objectives: Our study attempts to correlate the hearing thresholds with the multiple parameters like blood levels of urea, serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium and hemoglobin values incriminated in decreased hearing in CRF patients. Materials and methods:Prospective study of 25 patients receiving treatment for CRF. The threshold of the worsen ear was considered for statistical analysis. Results:18% of the patients at low frequencies (250 and 500 Hz), 32% of the patients at mid-frequencies (1000 and 2000 Hz), and 72% of the patients at high frequencies (4000 and 8000 Hz) had decreased hearing for both bone and air conduction hearing. We found a positive correlation between hearing loss and increasing number of hemodialysis sessions, the levels of blood urea, serum creatinine, serum sodium and use of ototoxic drugs; while serum calcium, serum potassium and hemoglobin levels had a negative correlation. Conclusion:Though the management of CRF including hemodialysis has been refined, hearing loss continues to cause disability in CRF patients.