Hearing Assessment of patients with stage -5- Chronic Kidney Disease

The prevalence, degree, and patterns of hearing loss associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) reported by various studies differ significantly. The effects of haemodialysis and duration of disease on hearing loss remain unclear. The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased significantly in the past few years, thanks to the huge rise in the number of people suffering from diabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension, which are major risk factors for CKD. Association of CKD with sensorineural hearing loss has been described by several studies in the past, although the basis for this has not been clearly established. Antigenic similarity between basement membranes of glomeruli and stria vascularis of the inner ear may explain this association to some extent. Use of ototoxic drugs, electrolyte disturbances, and hypertension has been implicated in various studies. Haemodialysis has also been reported to contribute to hearing loss in CKD. Studies on the impact of haemodialysis have produced contradictory results, with a sizeable number reporting that haemodialysis plays role in hearing loss associated with CKD.