Hearing loss among children with sickle cell disease at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is documented to cause sensorineural hearing loss. Although no major international guideline formally mandates routine audiological screening for all patients with SCD, multiple studies and meta-analyses have highlighted the value of early audiological assessment and the integration of rehabilitation services to mitigate the impact of SCD. This study aimed to determine the magnitude, pattern, and associated factors of hearing loss among paediatric patients with sickle cell disease in northern Tanzania.
Methods: This was a hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study conducted between October 2024 and May 2025 at a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania. The study sought to document and review the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with hearing loss in children aged between 4 years and 17 years of age with confirmed sickle cell disease.
Results: A total of 90 patients with SCD were included in the final analysis. Hearing loss was identified in 31.1% of patients, with the most common type being sensorineural hearing loss (53.6%). The majority of these patients experienced bilateral hearing loss of mild to severe degree. The hearing loss was associated with the presence of vaso-occlusive episodes in the past year.
Conclusion: Mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss is commonly observed among paediatric patients with SCD. The presence of vaso-occlusive crises in the past year was associated with hearing loss.
Contribution: This study delivers the first systematic evidence on the burden, audiological patterns, and associated factors of hearing loss in paediatric SCD in an East African tertiary setting. The findings expose a neglected morbidity, strengthen context-specific clinical surveillance, and advance JCMSA’s mandate to support equitable, evidence-driven child health across African health systems.