Audiovestibular functions in chronic kidney disease in relation to haemodialysis

Background Several studies have reported that the audiovestibular system is affected in patients with chronic kidney disease. Objective This study aimed to investigate how the audiovestibular system is affected in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease. Methods Sixty participants were divided into three groups: group 1 - controls; group 2 - chronic kidney disease patients receiving conservative treatment; and group 3 - chronic kidney disease patients undergoing regular haemodialysis. Assessments included: standard and high-frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emissions testing, oculomotor tests, and combined vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials testing. Results Fifty per cent of group 2 and 60 per cent of group 3 had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. High-frequency pure tone audiometry showed reduced detectability and higher thresholds at 12 kHz and 16 kHz in patients than in controls. Otoacoustic emissions, tracking, optokinetic and combined vestibular-evoked myogenic potential tests showed abnormal results in chronic kidney disease cases. Conclusion Both the auditory and vestibular pathways are affected in different stages of chronic kidney disease. High-frequency pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions and combined vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials could be performed routinely in patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of the disease stage.