The Effect of Hemodialysis on Spectral and Temporal Processing Abilities and Speech Perception in Noise among Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hearing is well documented in the literature. Several studies have investigated the effect of hemodialysis on the peripheral auditory system among individuals with CKD. However, studies investigating the effect of hemodialysis on speech perception and auditory processing abilities are limited. The present study investigated the effect of hemodialysis on few auditory processing abilities and speech perception in noise among adults with CKD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 25 adults with CKD undergoing hemodialysis regularly participated in the study. Spectral ripple discrimination threshold (SRDT), gap detection threshold (GDT), amplitude-modulation detection threshold (AMDT), and speech recognition threshold in noise (SRTn) were measured before and after hemodialysis. Paired samples “<i>t</i>” test was carried out to investigate the effect of hemodialysis on thresholds. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Results showed a significant improvement for SRDT, GDT, AMDT, and SRTn after hemodialysis among individuals with CKD. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Hemodialysis showed a positive effect on speech perception in noise and auditory processing abilities among individuals with CKD.