Does extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy cause hearing impairment in children?

PURPOSE: We evaluated the possible effects of noise created by high energy shock waves on the hearing function of children treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 65 children with normal hearing function were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups, ie those becoming stone-free after 1 session of shock wave lithotripsy (group 1, 22 children), those requiring 3 sessions to achieve stone-free status (group 2, 21) and healthy children/controls (group 3, 22). Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was applied with patients in the supine position with a 90-minute frequency and a total of 2,000 shock waves in each session (Compact Sigma, Dornier MedTech, Wessling, Germany). Second energy level was used with a maximum energy value of 58 joules per session in all patients. Hearing function and possible cochlear impairment were evaluated by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions test at 1.0, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8 and 4.0 kHz frequencies before the procedure, 2 hours later, and 1 month after completion of the first shock wave lithotripsy session in groups 1 and 2. In controls the same evaluation procedures were performed at the beginning of the study and 7 weeks later.

RESULTS: Regarding transient evoked otoacoustic emissions data, in groups 1 and 2 there was no significant alteration in values obtained after shock wave lithotripsy compared to values obtained at the beginning of the study, similar to controls.

CONCLUSIONS: A well planned shock wave lithotripsy procedure is a safe and effective treatment in children with urinary stones and causes no detectable harmful effect on hearing function.