Link Points to Importance of Regular Hearing Care for All Ages
Patients with cystic fibrosis who receive aminoglycosides, a class of antibiotics, are at higher risk of sensorineural hearing loss. The finding, published in a 2009 report by researchers including our own Dr. Brian Fligor, reinforces the importance of regular audiologic evaluations to help monitor hearing health and catch potential problems early.
Over 100,000 people around the world have cystic fibrosis, according to public-health estimates. The genetic disorder, which involves a mutated protein, is characterized by thick, sticky mucus buildup that can clog the lungs and other organs and cause serious respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive problems.
In the study, “Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis,” published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Fligor and fellow investigators analyzed the records of 50 people seen at a children’s hospital for care between March 1994 and December 2007. The review revealed that:
- 14% had sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)
- 3% of those receiving 10 or fewer treatments of intravenous aminoglycosides had SNHL
- 43% of the patients who received over 10 treatments of intravenous aminoglycosides had SNHL
- None who received 5 or fewer treatments of nasal irrigation with aminoglycosides had SNHL
- 23% of those receiving over 5 treatments of nasal irrigation with aminoglycosides had SNHL
- 9% of those who received 5 or fewer treatments of macrolides, another class of antibiotics, had SNHL
- 60% of those receiving over 5 treatments of macrolides had SNHL
SNHL, the most common form of hearing loss, generally involves damage to the inner ear, the hearing nerve, or the sound-transmitting hair cells of the ear’s cochlea. Excess noise exposure is a usual source of SNHL, but factors including family history or certain medications — such as some standard cystic fibrosis therapies — may also contribute to the issue.
Lifesaving therapies can have side effects or complications that affect other functions — the ears and hearing, for example. Having an audiologist as part of your care team, with routine monitoring of your hearing health, can play a crucial role in hearing loss prevention, detection, and treatment, supporting total wellness and quality of life.
At Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness, our highly trained hearing care professionals focus on proactive prevention, comprehensive diagnostics, and effective treatment to optimize your hearing health. If you or a loved one has cystic fibrosis or difficulty hearing, don’t delay. Contact our expert team to book a personalized hearing consultation today.