The effect of hemodialysis on hearing in chronic kidney disease patients – A systematic review

Abstract

Hemodialysis as a treatment modality for Stage V chronic kidney disease (CKD) has significantly decreased mortality. However, there have been several studies reporting sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in these patients which affects their quality of life. The role of hemodialysis in its etiology has been widely debated and the strength of available evidence has not yet been evaluated. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify a possible association of hemodialysis to hearing loss and guide in making informed decisions in the management of CKD patients. Relevant articles from PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO Medline, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Clinical Key were identified using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses framework. Studies that were published since the inception of the database to May 2020 and written in the English language were analyzed. A total of 36 articles on hemodialysis and sudden or SNHL were retrieved. Many were observational (13 cohorts, 10 case-control, seven case series, and six cross-sectional) studies involving 99,020 participants with ages ranging from 1 to 80 years. This review elucidates the occurrence of SNHL in CKD patients on hemodialysis. Yet, the available literature fails to provide conclusive evidence on hemodialysis as a causative agent for SNHL. Audiological assessment of all CKD patients before hemodialysis and regular follow-up may help in early diagnosis and better management of hearing loss.