Effect of renal transplantation on uremic deafness: a long-term study.

In order to investigate the influence of a functioning transplant on uremic hearing loss, audiometrical controls were performed on 13 patients before and after renal transplantation. During renal dialysis treatment there was a marked hearing loss for the higher frequencies between 2 000 and 8 000 Hz. Hearing capacity improved to normal after transplantation, the best audiometric results being obtained 21.4 (8-42) months after surgery. There was a significant improvement in hearing especially for middle- and high-tone frequencies. It is assumed that uremic toxins, possibly responsible for sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic renal failure may be sufficiently removed by a functioning transplant.