194 Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with cystic fibrosis: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives In cystic fibrosis (CF), airway infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria are often observed and commonly treated with aminoglycosides (AG). These antibiotics are known for their ototoxicity, making CF patients prone to the development of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibular hypofunction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SNHL in CF patients and its relationship to AG use. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study on audiometry data obtained in a pediatric CF clinic. Medical records between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed. All patients had audiometry data available. Data were collected on age, gender, audiological measures and the use of AG. Results 44 patients were included consecutively. Mean age was 13±7 years. Male:female ratio was 1:1. AG were administered at least once in 43%, 14% received more than 5 AG courses. Hearing loss was reported by pure-tone average of 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz over 25 dB (0% SNHL), >2 frequencies with >25 dB (14% SNHL), 1 frequency >25 dB (25% SNHL), >2 adjacent frequencies >15 dB (39% SNHL) and >25 dB at 8 kHz (17% SNHL). A statistically significant effect of the frequent use of AG (>5 courses) was only observed in bilateral SNHL at 8 kHz (p = 0.03). Conclusion SNHL was reported in an important proportion of CF patients. We could only detect an effect of AG use when looking at bilateral SNHL at 8 kHz. The effects of AG on SNHL are smaller than previously described. This might be related to the lack of selection bias in this study.