Audiological Correlates of Renal Tubular Acidosis - A Case Report

Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) refers to a condition where the kidneys do not appropriately eliminate acids from the blood into the urine resulting in acid remnants in the blood. It could be caused either by dysfunction of distal renal tubules or proximal renal tubules. Homeostasis of the cells, cochlear fluids and generation of endocochlear potential are important factors which enable normal cochlear function. Hearing loss can be caused by disturbances in cochlear homeostasis due to certain gene mutations. In this report, a child with proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis who was evaluated and diagnosed as having bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is documented. This report aims to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of hearing loss and provide appropriate intervention to reduce the impact of hearing loss on the child’s language, speech, education and social life.