DPOAE measurements in comparison to audiometric measurements in hemodialyzed patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the early detection of the damage of cochlear activity by using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) (DP-gram) comparing to the results of the impedance audiometry.MethodsWe examined 53 patients including 43 hemodialyzed patients, and 10 controls. First it was applied a tympanometry, and then in normal results we applied impedance audiometry and DPOAE (DP-gram).ResultsWe found sensorineural hearing loss in 67% of audiometric results of the hemodialyzed patients and there was a decrease of the DPOAE amplitude in 77% of hemodialyzed patients. In the control group there was one patient (10%) with neurosensorial in high frequencies hearing loss in both measurements with audiometry and DPOAE.ConclusionsThere is a sensorineural hearing loss observed in most of the patients with chronic renal failure. DPOAE audiogram shows lower amplitudes than impedance audiometry and it can be used for the early detection of cochlear damage.