NERNATIONAl JOURN OF ELSEVTER International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 35 (1996)16&169 Auditory nerve-brainstem responses in cystic fibrosis patients Tuncay Ozcelik *, Nuri Ozgirgin, Ugur Ozcelik, Ayhan Gocmen, Barkin Gurcan, Nural Kiper Department of Otolaryngology, Bayindir Medical Center and Chest Diseases Unit of the Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey Received 30 August 1995; revised 16 November 1995; accepted 18 November 1995 Abstract We conducted a study in 30 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) to determine if their hearing had been affected. Their ages ranged between 2 to 17 years and they were studied by means of complete audiologic evaluation and brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA). Twenty of them had received some ototoxic drugs for variable periods. The results showed that there was no significant correlation between CF and BERA findings. The findings indicated that, except a few middle ear problems such as serous otitis media, CF did not affect hearing status of the CF children per se. Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Auditory brainstem responses; Hearing loss 1. Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a defect in cyclic adenosine monophos- phate (CAMP)-regulated chloride conductance and is caused by mutations in the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) [6]. The exocrine dysfunction of the acinotubular glands is manifested by abnormal- ities of the composition and physiochemical properties of the secretions. The mucus produced is 30-60 times more viscid than in the normal. * Corresponding author. 48. sokak No: 9/4, 06510 Bahcelievler, Ankara, Turkey. Business Tel.: (90 312) 287 9000, Home Tel.: (90 312) 223 8017; Fax: (90 312) 285 0733. 0165.5876/96/$15.00 0 1996 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved SSDI 0165-5876(95)01321-O