Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and its relationship to antibiotic use. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care pediatric hospital. Subjects and Methods We reviewed the medical records of CF patients seen in our children's hospital between March 1994 and December 2007. Data collected included patient demographics, audiograms, tympanograms, genotype, and use of potentially ototoxic antibiotics. Results Seven of 50 (14%) patients had SNHL. Three percent of patients who received ≤10 courses of intravenous aminoglycosides had SNHL versus 43 percent of those who received >10 courses ( P < 0.01). No patients who received five or fewer courses of nasal irrigation with aminoglycosides had SNHL versus 23 percent of those who received more than five courses ( P < 0.05). Nine percent of patients who received five or fewer courses of macrolides had SNHL versus 60 percent of those who received more than five courses ( P = 0.079). Conclusion CF patients receiving aminoglycosides are at high risk for developing SNHL.