Profound hearing impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alpha-2B

Alpha interferon is the approved agent for treatment of hepatitis C. Its use is becoming common and with this increase in its use new side effects are being observed. These side effects should be identified early and one should be familiar with their course and outcome. The knowledge of the incidence, severity and reversibility of these side effects would impact on the treatment strategy. We are reporting three cases of recombinant alpha interferon related hearing impairment. The severity of deafness varied from moderate to severe, and with discontinuation of therapy the improvement was unpredictable. In some patients there was marked improvement while in others there was little or no improvement.