An Investigation of Hearing (250-20000 Hz) in Children with Cardiac Disorders and also Evaluation of Tinnitus and Vertigo Symptoms

Objective: Comorbidities accompanying to cardiac disorders  might be as detrimental as the diseases themselves. While it  is not common, comorbidities associated with inner ear functions  may also be seen. This study was planned to investigate  evaluation of hearing which also includes high frequencies,  and the presence of vestibular and tinnitus symptoms in children  with acute rheumatic fever (ARF), Kawasaki disease (KD)  or who underwent open heart surgery (due to atrial septal  defect and/or ventricular septal defect, Tetralogy of Fallot). Methods: This study included a patient group including  214 children patients diagnosed with cardiac disorders (116  males, 98 females; mean age 9.70 [range 6-16]) and a control  group including 44 healthy children who do not have  any kind of chronic disease (21 males, 23 females; mean age  9.38 [range 6-16]). The subjects underwent hearing test with  frequencies between 250-20000 Hz, vestibular and tinnitus  symptoms were evaluated by Symptom Questionnaire Forms. Results: Out of 214 patients in the patient group, 6 (2.8%)  had hearing loss in pure tones, 25 (11.7%) had in high  frequencies, 35 (16.4%) had tinnitus symptoms, and 21 (9.8%)  had vertigo symptoms. Hearing loss in high frequencies was  detected in 11.7% of patients with ARF, in 22.7% of patients  with KD, and in 7.8% of patients who underwent open heart s urgery. The difference between KD patients and the control  group in terms of hearing loss was statistically significant  (p=0.014). Out of 214 patients in the patient group, 4 (1.9%) h ad hearing loss in pure tones and high frequencies, vertigo  and tinnitus symptoms. Conclusions: Our results suggest that some childhood cardiac  disorders can cause some changes in the inner ear, although  the exact cause is unknown. Perhaps, a detailed hearing and  balance examination should be a routine in a child diagnosed  with a cardiac disorders. We think it is necessary to work on  more comprehensive patient groups and tests in the future . .