Auditory and cognitive abilities in patients with chronic kidney disease: a comparative study across stages.

Background: The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on peripheral hearing is well documented, but little is known about the impact on auditory processing.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate auditory processing and cognitive abilities in CKD and to assess changes according to the disease phases.

Materials and methods: Eighty-nine CKD patients, aged 25-65 (48 study and 41 control) with stages 2-4, participated. Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), the Digit Span Backward Task (DSBT) and the speech discrimination (SD) in noise and in quiet test were employed.

Results: The comparison between the two groups indicated significant decreases in test scores for the RGDT, FPT, DPT, DSBT, and SD (in noise) within in the group with CKD (p < .001). The SD (in quiet) test exhibits no difference. There were no significant variations in any evaluated parameter between CKD stages.

Conclusions and significance: The results indicate that CKD can impair auditory and cognitive processing, hence affecting SD, especially in challenging auditory environments. Nevertheless, no significant changes were observed across the phases of CKD, suggesting that impairments in these capacities may appear early in the course of the disease.