Snakebite-associated audiological sequelae: Rethinking care pathways in African health systems

Snakebite envenomation remains one of the most neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with clinical management primarily focused on survival and acute complications. While mortality and limb-related disability have been well documented, potential auditory and vestibular sequelae remain underexplored, particularly within African health systems....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Audiologists working in or with African health systems should be aware that snakebite envenomation can cause hearing complications; advocate for audiology screening in snakebite follow-up pathways where applicable.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Snakebite-related hearing loss is a largely invisible burden in low-resource settings, and integrating audiology into neglected tropical disease care pathways could reduce unaddressed hearing disability in Africa.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Snakebite envenomation is associated with audiological complications that are rarely documented or managed.
02The paper classifies snakebite as a neglected tropical disease with overlooked hearing sequelae.
03Current African care pathways for snakebite do not routinely include audiological assessment.
04Authors call for revised, multidisciplinary care protocols that include hearing evaluation post-envenomation.
05Published in the Journal of Public Health in Africa (doi:10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1919).

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Snakebite envenomation causes audiological sequelae that are currently neglected in African health systems.

studypartially supported

Existing care pathways in African health systems do not adequately address hearing complications of snakebite.

opinionunclear

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42564494
DOI: 10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1919.
Journal: Journal of Public Health in Africa
Publication type: review
Evidence level: 4
Population: Snakebite envenomation patients in African health settings
Intervention: Audiological assessment and revised care pathways for snakebite victims

Primary outcomes

Prevalence and type of audiological complications following snakebite envenomation; Gaps in current African health system care pathways for hearing sequelae

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