Hearing findings of leprosy patient in Maluku, rural areas in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, poses significant socio-economic and psychological burdens, particularly in Indonesia, which ranks third in global prevalence. Despite the well-documented dermatological and neurological impacts, auditory complications, especially hearing impairment, remain underexplored. This study aims to explore the spectrum of hearing loss in patients with leprosy in Maluku, a high leprosy-burden area in Indonesia, and identify the key characteristics that may contribute to hearing loss in these patients.

Methods: a cross-sectional study were conducted to collect data, involved 98 leprosy patients in Maluku, Indonesia. Audiological assessments were performed using otoacoustic emissions (OAE) to evaluate cochlear function and pure tone audiometry to assess hearing sensitivity. Statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS 25.0, employing Pearson’s Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests for data comparison, with significance set at p<0.05. The study adhered to STROBE guidelines for transparent reporting.

Results: Among 196 ears examined, 26% exhibited hearing loss, predominantly sensorineural (71.7%), with mild severity (76.5%). The median age of participants was 32 years, with older patients (>40 years) showing significantly higher hearing thresholds (p<0.001). Leprosy reactions were associated with elevated hearing thresholds at 4000 Hz (p=0.015), and corticosteroid use correlated with better hearing outcomes in patients with reactions.

Conclusion: This study highlights a notable prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss among leprosy patients in Maluku, particularly linked to age and leprosy reactions. Corticosteroid therapy appears to offer protective effects on hearing function, indicating the need for regular auditory assessments and targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes in this population.