Abstract:

Objective: The purpose of this study is microbiological results of the external auditory canal and hearing aid moulds in hemodialysis patients with hearing aids, to investigate the cause of the irritation properties and to compare with the normal population. Material and Methods: The patient participating in this study are divided into three groups. In the first group there were 20 patients who used hearing aids for at least 1 year and who had a hemodialysis program for at least 2 years. In the second group, there were 27 patients who were on hemodialysis program for at least 2 years and did not use hearing aids and in the third group, there were 27 patients who used hearing aids at least 1 year but did not undergoing hemodialysis. A total of 74 patients included in the study and samples from the external auditory canal of all patients and from the hearing aid moulds of hearing aid users were evaluated for bacterial and fungal growth. Results: A total of 121 culture samples taken from 74 external ear canals and 47 hearing aid moulds and 108 (89.2%) of samples had microbial growth.The most frequently isolated microorganism in all groups was coagulase negative staphylococci. In the first group including the dialysis patients using hearing aids a total of 54 microorganisms were isolated from 40 samples taken from hearing aid moulds and external ear canal. It has been observed that in these patients, there is different growths in the samples taken from the hearing aid moulds and external ear canal. Twenty-nine microorganisms were isolated from 54 culture samples taken from patients in third group who used hearing aids and not undergoing hemodialysis. In the study group (group 1), the organism cultured was higher than the control group, whereas Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas and fungal growths were observed. Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients using hearing aids, microbiological diversity of external ear canal is increasing. In order to prevent this situation, information should be provided to keep the external ear canal and hearing aid mold clean.

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