Clinical Considerations for Routine Auditory and Vestibular Monitoring in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
American Journal of Audiology
Garinis, A. C., Poling, G. L., et al. (2021).
American Journal of Audiology, 30(3S), 800-809.
This guideline from the International Ototoxicity Management Working Group provides consensus-based recommendations on the provision of audiological service provision for patients with Cystic Fibrosis treated with known ototoxic medications.
International Ototoxicity Management Working Group (IOMG)
Baseline hearing and balance evaluations should be conducted prior to, or within 3 days of, initial treatment dose in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are prescribed an IV course of a known cochleotoxic or vestibulotoxic agent. After undergoing ototoxic treatment, hearing and balance should be re-evaluated no later than 3 months after treatment completion to monitor for any changes. For all pediatric and adult patients exposed to ototoxic medications at any time, routine, annual hearing and balance evaluations should be conducted to monitor for any changes to hearing and/or balance.
In the cystic fibrosis (CF) center setting, point-of-care measures of auditory and vestibular function (e.g., hearing screening, otoacoustic emissions, tinnitus screener, head impulse test) should be used to screen for ototoxicity in individuals with CF treated with known ototoxic medications. During routine, 3-month care visits, a CF care team member or an audiologist should collect case history such as date of last hearing and vestibular assessment and should ask questions about hearing, tinnitus, and balance or vestibular problems. Patients with any abnormal screening findings, who report new hearing, tinnitus, and/or balance concerns, and/or who have not had a hearing and vestibular test in the past 12 months should be referred to an audiologist for diagnostic assessment.
