Hearing loss in geriatric hemodialysis patients

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the hearing loss in geriatric hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 16 geriatric hemodialysis patients (age minimum: 65, maximum: 86 years) and 16 volunteers (age minimum: 65, maximum: 86 years) as a control group. The patients′ pure tone audiometry values between 250 and 8000 Hz frequencies were analyzed. Results: In our study, statistical significance was found between hearing loss and serum urea levels (P = 0.001). Hearing loss values were not statistically significantly different between the study and control groups (P = 0.786). High frequency hearing thresholds were found to be significantly higher in the geriatric hemodialysis patients (P = 0.032). Normal hearing levels at all levels were found in 5 patients in the study group. Mild to moderate hearing loss was found in 11 patients. Conclusions: In our preliminary study, we found statistically significant differences between the increase in hearing thresholds and uremia. Statistically significant changes in hearing thresholds at high frequencies were found between the two groups. Long-term hemodialysis treatment of 10 years or more is a risk factor for hearing loss. Hemodialysis treatment is a risk factor for hearing loss in geriatric patients who are at a risk of presbyacusis.