Frequency and Patterns of Hearing Dysfunction in Patients Treated with Teprotumumab.

PURPOSE

To better characterize the frequency and patterns of hearing dysfunction in patients who have received teprotumumab to treat thyroid eye disease.

DESIGN

Noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients who underwent audiology testing before and after completion of teprotumumab infusions.

METHODS

A review of patients who underwent audiology testing before and after completion of teprotumumab infusions was carried out. Additional audiogram testing during treatment was included when available. Hearing function was analyzed using audiogram data measuring threshold hearing levels at specific frequencies. Basic demographic data as well as information regarding otologic symptoms also were obtained and analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hearing loss demonstrated by a significant change in decibel hearing thresholds or that meets criteria for ototoxicity.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (44 ears) were included in the study, with baseline and most recent audiology testing after treatment ranging from 84 days before to 496 days after treatment. Fifteen patients (30 ears) also underwent testing during treatment starting after the second infusion up until the day of, but before, the eighth infusion. Hearing loss after treatment met criteria for ototoxicity in 17 of the 44 ears (38.6%), with 11 of the 22 patients (50.0%) meeting criteria in at least 1 ear. The pure-tone average decibel hearing levels (HLs) across all 44 ears demonstrated hearing loss after treatment (P = 0.0029), specifically at high (P = 0.0008) and middle frequencies (P = 0.0042), but not at low frequencies (P = 0.8344). Patients who were older also were more likely to experience hearing loss after treatment (P = 0.0048).

CONCLUSIONS

Audiometric data demonstrate that teprotumumab influences hearing function, most significantly at higher frequencies and in older patients. Audiometric testing is critical for counseling patients regarding teprotumumab treatment. A protocol for monitoring hearing during treatment is needed to detect and manage hearing changes associated with teprotumumab use.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.