Sensorineural hearing loss in homozygous sickle cell disease in Qatif, Saudi Arabia

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a known complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). There is a paucity of information on this problem in Sausi SCD patients. A prospective controlled study was conducted over 27 months in Qatif Central Hospital. One hundred patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA), aged five to 40 years, were studied. The control group consisted of 100 healthy individuals. A detailed history, otologic and audiologic examinations were carried out on both groups. Further investigations to rule out local retrocochlear pathology were performed on those having unilateral SNHL. No case of SNHL was detected in the control group, while it was recorded in 19 (19%) of SCA patients, 13 males and six females. There was a significant association between the SNHL and the onset of first vaso-occlusive crisis at six years of age or less. There was no significant difference in the frequency of SNHL between children and adults. Twenty-one percent of patients who had SNHL completely recovered. Patients with SCD need a careful regular hearing assessment. Those detected to have SNHL need a careful plan implemented by both the clinician and otolaryngologist for proper care of this important complication.