Hearing Loss Among Patients Receiving Antituberculosis Treatment

ABSTRACT

Background: Tuberculosis therapy is characterized by many side effects including hearing loss. It has been documented that the use of aminoglycosides for TB treatment is the cause of the associated hearing impairment. The consequential effect of hearing impairment on the patient is high. This has its long-term socio-economic effect (social isolation and stigmatization) on patients, families and public health in general. Hearing loss can compromise treatment compliance and also affect the quality of life of patients during and after treatment. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine and establish the prevalence of hearing loss among patients receiving treatment for TB. Method: A quasi-experimental, post-test only with non-equivalent control group design involving 60 consenting patients receiving treatment for TB at the chest clinic of the Tema General Hospital between February and May 2018 and a control group of 60 age and gender-matched uninfected volunteers constituted this study. Data on demographics and case history were collected using a structured questionnaire. The hearing status of participants was assessed using conventional pure tone audiometry and transient evoked otoacoustic emission tests. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package. Results: A hearing loss prevalence of 20% was found among patients receiving treatment for TB. Out of the 60 patients on TB medications assessed, 12 presented with hearing loss that ranged from mild to severe. Patients who presented with the poor thresholds were all referred in the OAE. Hearing thresholds of patients receiving anti-TB medications were significantly elevated (p