Hearing Damage Caused by Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a multisystem disease associated with episodes of acute illness and progressive organ damage, leading to impairment of several organs. It is characterized by vaso-occlusive processes resulting from local hypoxia, increased number of sickled erythrocytes, and dissemination of occlusion to adjacent tissues. SCD has a chronic inflammatory mechanism that affects several organs and systems, including the auditory system. Hearing loss resulting from SCD includes conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, in the central auditory system, in addition to otoneurological symptoms. These findings occur in both the adult and pediatric populations. At the end of this chapter, it is expected that the reader will be able to identify the main damages in the auditory system resulting from sickle cell disease, understand the pathophysiology of the damage generated in hearing, as well as understand the main care needed to monitor the hearing health of this population