Hearing Loss More Likely In Individuals With Chronic Kidney Disease

Individuals with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more likely to suffer from hearing difficulties compared to healthy people of the same age, researchers have revealed in an article that appears in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.

Researchers from the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne and Macquarie in Australia examined the medical records of 2,564 people aged 50 or more, of whom 513 had moderate CKD.

More that 55 % of all the patients with CKD had some degree of hearing loss. Among people who had no kidney problems less than 30 % had hearing loss. Furthermore, severe hearing loss affected almost 30% of the CKD patients, compared to just 10% of the others.

The figures were adjusted for other risk factors that may affect hearing, such as age, sex, noise exposure, diabetes and more.

Possible explanations

University of Sydney, said:

The link between hearing loss and CKD can be explained by structural and functional similarities between tissues in the inner ear and in the kidney. Additionally, toxins that accumulate in kidney failure can damage nerves, including those in the inner ear. Another reason for this connection is that kidney disease and hearing loss share common risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure and advanced age.

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a slow and progressive loss of kidney function. Over a period of several years the condition worsens until eventually there is permanent kidney failure. Many people don't know they have CKD until their kidney function is down to 25% of normal. The main causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Free Hearing Aids For Christmas

Christmas is a time for family. It is a time for music and laughter and enjoying memories with friends and loved ones.


None of these things is possible with a hearing loss.

Timpanogos Hearing and Balance in American Fork is happy to announce that they will be giving away a set of digital hearing devices to one recipient for Christmas—no strings attached.

“We’ve been able to help thousands of people to hear better over the last 7 years, but we realize that there are many more out there who need to hear better, but can’t afford it. I became an Audiologist to help people to hear better—as many people as I can. We are grateful to be in a position where we can give back to the community and help someone who has no other way to help themselves,” says Dr. Layne Garrett, owner of Timpanogos Hearing and Balance.

The hearing devices will be given away based on need and on their ability to truly make a difference in the recipient’s life. You may nominate yourself or someone else. To apply, write a 500 word description of how hearing better could make a difference for the applicant. Attach the person’s name, age, city of residence, and phone number. You can email this information to Christmas@utahhearingaids.com, fax it to 801-763-8282, or mail it to Timpanogos Hearing and Balance 321 E 300 N American Fork, UT 84003.  You can also click here to fill out an online form.

Applications must be received by December 12th.