Hearing impairment associated with chronic renal failure

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Audiology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Chronic end-stage renal failure (ESRD) affects multiple organ systems.
• Auditory function can be compromised in patients with ESRD.
• The relationship between ESRD, hemodialysis, and hearing loss requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess auditory sensitivity in patients with ESRD.
• To determine the incidence and characteristics of hearing impairment in ESRD patients.
• To explore potential contributing factors, including hemodialysis treatment.

Main Methods:

• Auditory sensitivity was assessed in 67 patients with chronic ESRD.
• One group (39 patients) was evaluated before and after 1 year of hemodialysis.
• A second group (28 patients) with varying hemodialysis durations was also assessed.

Main Results:

• A high incidence of high-frequency hearing impairment was observed.
• This impairment was not attributable to age, noise exposure, ototoxicity, or hereditary factors.
• An association was suggested between high-frequency impairment and renal disease/hemodialysis treatment.

Conclusions:

• High-frequency hearing loss is prevalent in ESRD patients.
• Hemodialysis and renal disease may contribute to this auditory impairment.
• Clinically significant sensorineural hearing loss was not linked to non-genetic kidney disease.