Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and its relationship to antibiotic use.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Subjects And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of CF patients seen in our children's hospital between March 1994 and December 2007. Data collected included patient demographics, audiograms, tympanograms, genotype, and use of potentially ototoxic antibiotics.

Results: Seven of 50 (14%) patients had SNHL. Three percent of patients who received 10 courses (P<0.01). No patients who received five or fewer courses of nasal irrigation with aminoglycosides had SNHL versus 23 percent of those who received more than five courses (P<0.05). Nine percent of patients who received five or fewer courses of macrolides had SNHL versus 60 percent of those who received more than five courses (P=0.079).

Conclusion: CF patients receiving aminoglycosides are at high risk for developing SNHL.