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Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
09:44

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Published on: January 25, 2016

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with cystic fibrosis

Alan G Cheng1, Patrick R Johnston, Jennifer Luz

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston, and Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. aglcheng@stanford.edu

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
|June 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cystic fibrosis patients treated with aminoglycoside antibiotics face a high risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Increased antibiotic courses correlate with a higher prevalence of SNHL in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, including the auditory system.
  • Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a potential complication in CF patients, possibly linked to treatments.
  • Ototoxic medications, particularly aminoglycosides, are frequently used in CF management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of SNHL in pediatric CF patients.
  • To examine the association between SNHL and the cumulative use of potentially ototoxic antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series utilizing chart review.
  • Analysis of medical records from 50 CF patients at a tertiary care pediatric hospital (1994-2007).
  • Data included demographics, audiometric/tympanometric results, CF genotype, and antibiotic exposure (aminoglycosides, macrolides).

Main Results:

  • SNHL was identified in 14% (7/50) of CF patients.
  • A significant correlation was found between SNHL and the number of intravenous aminoglycoside courses (>10 courses associated with 43% SNHL prevalence, P<0.01).
  • Increased use of aminoglycosides via nasal irrigation (>5 courses associated with 23% SNHL prevalence, P<0.05) and macrolides (>5 courses associated with 60% SNHL prevalence, P=0.079) also showed trends towards higher SNHL risk.

Conclusions:

  • CF patients receiving aminoglycoside antibiotics are at elevated risk for SNHL.
  • Cumulative exposure to aminoglycosides, both intravenous and via nasal irrigation, is linked to increased SNHL incidence.
  • Further research into ototoxicity monitoring and alternative therapies in CF is warranted.
Abstract

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