Cochlear Implantation after Bromate Intoxication-Induced Bilateral Deafness: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Ototoxicology
• Nephrology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Bromate poisoning is known to induce severe acidosis and subsequent hearing loss.
• While medical and rehabilitative therapies offer partial hearing recovery, surgical interventions for bromate-induced deafness are infrequently reported.
• This case addresses the rare scenario of surgical otology treatment for hearing loss resulting from bromate intoxication.

Observation:

• A 48-year-old female presented with bilateral deafness following bromate intoxication.
• Despite early symptom detection and cessation of contributing factors like diuretics, significant hearing impairment occurred.
• The patient experienced hearing loss within 12 hours of bromate ingestion.

Findings:

• Cochlear implantation (CI) was performed six months after the acute phase treatment for acute kidney injury, which included dialysis.
• The patient achieved successful hearing reversal following the cochlear implantation procedure.
• This outcome demonstrates the efficacy of CI in addressing deafness caused by bromate intoxication.

Implications:

• Cochlear implantation is presented as a potentially effective surgical treatment for deafness resulting from bromate poisoning.
• The case underscores the importance of considering advanced audiological interventions even in complex poisoning scenarios.
• This highlights a novel application of cochlear implantation in managing sensorineural hearing loss secondary to toxic exposure.