Abstract

Dr. Kiran K. Kannade* and Dr. Sangeeta S. Salvi

ABSTRACT

As one of our most important senses, the ability to hear enables us to connect to the world for many vary important, even vital, reasons. As the famed 20th-century activist and educator, Helen Keller, once said, “Blindness cuts of from things, but deafness cuts us of from people. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, autoimmune disease that presents with intra-articular and extra-articular manifestations. Auditory system may be involved during the course of Rheumatoid Arthritis disease due to number of pathologies. Hearing Impairment in Rheumatoid arthritis is generally under diagnosed; symptoms are progressive and patients are not aware of the damage until it interferes with their usual activity.[13] Research suggests that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis may be at an increased risk of developing hearing impairments, particularly sensorineural hearing loss. The exact mechanism linking rheumatoid arthritis to hearing loss is not fully understood, but inflammation may play a role. Audiometry is a diagnostic test commonly used to assess hearing abilities. To test hearing in all newly diagnosis as well as regular intervals during the course of disease.