Hearing recovery from deafness caused by bromate intoxication.

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Otolaryngology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Sodium bromate is a potent oxidant.
• Bromate intoxication is known to cause severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, often irreversible.
• This paper details the first reported case of bromate-induced hearing loss with documented recovery in English literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of bromate-induced hearing loss with audiological recovery.
• To investigate the potential of continuous hemodiafiltration in treating bromate intoxication-related hearing loss.

Main Methods:

• A case report of a 72-year-old woman following bromate ingestion.
• Initial audiological assessment using pure tone audiometry and auditory brainstem responses.
• Treatment with continuous hemodiafiltration for acute renal failure and hearing loss.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with profound bilateral deafness, nausea, diarrhea, and anuria.
• Audiometry and auditory brainstem responses confirmed severe sensorineural hearing loss.
• Following continuous hemodiafiltration, partial threshold recovery from profound deafness was observed after dialysis discontinuation.

Conclusions:

• Severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss is a recognized symptom of bromate intoxication.
• Bromate-induced hearing loss may exhibit partial recovery.
• Early intervention with continuous hemodiafiltration could be a beneficial treatment for this condition.