Hearing Loss in Chronic Renal Failure-Hearing Threshold Changes following Haemodialysis

Abstract

The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss, measured by pure tone audiometry, was determined in 66 patients with chronic renal failure and threshold changes following haemodialysis were measured in 31 patients. The incidence of hearing loss was 41% in the low, 15% in the middle and 53% in the high frequency ranges respectively. No correlations with weight changes, haematocrit, metabolic bone disease or ototoxic drug history were found. Of 62 ears studied, 38% had a decrease in low frequency threshold after dialysis and 9% had an increase. Threshold in 22/31 ears with pre-existing low frequency loss altered after dialysis with little change in other frequencies and no correlation with weight changes. In conclusion, we find a high incidence of low and high frequency hearing losses in chronic renal failure patients. Fluctuation in low frequencies with dialysis is common. Possible mechanisms include treatment induced changes in fluid and electrolyte composition of endolymph.

Increased risk of getting sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic kidney disease: A population‐based cohort study

“…[9][10][11] The association between chronic sensorineural hearing impairment and hemodialysis has been reported frequently. Most of the results pointed to the multiple factors, including: 1), exposure to aged cellulose acetate membranes of dialyzers, allowing cellulose acetate degradation products to enter the blood; 12 2), osmotic disequilibrium in the labyrinth, or to an acute labyrinthine injury caused by contamination of the blood by the degraded product of an old cellulose acetate hemodialyzer membrane; 6 3) treatment-induced changes in fluid and electrolyte composition of endolymph; 13,14 and 4), administration of ototoxic drugs (aminoglycosides and furosemide). 15 For example, in a study of inner ear function of 229 patients on chronic hemodialysis, Kusakari et al reported that 60% of those patients had hearing impairment, 36% had vestibular dysfunction, and 26% had a combination of both.…”

Analysis Between Kidney Function and Hearing Loss Using Hemodynamic and Physical Characteristics: A Large Cross-Sectional Cohort Study With Health Screening Test

“…Yassin, et al 19) suggested that the degree of hearing loss is related to the degree of hyponatremia, and that correcting renal insufficiency and serum sodium levels could improve cochlear function. Gatland, et al 5) have suggested that changes in fluid and electrolyte composition of endolymph can induce recovery of the hearing threshold of low frequencies. Govender, et al 20) have suggested that elevated electrolyte, urea, and creatinine levels may affect cochlear function in CKD patients.…”

“…4) Factors that can cause hearing loss are very diverse, including genetic factors, aging, problems during pregnancy, chronic ear infections and exposure to excessive noise. 5,6) Recently, some studies have proposed that additional factors such as diabetes, hypertension (HTN), smoking, and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are risks of developing a hearing impairment. 1,4,7) For a long time, questions have been raised about the relationship between hearing and kidney function.…”

Tinnitus and vertigo in chronic kidney disease patients: an observational study at tertiary care centre

“…Similar to Bazzi and Gatland report that high blood urea and electrolyte disturbances, particularly sodium, have been suggested as possible factors that contribute to hearing system deterioration in CKD. 21,22…”