Vitiligo associated hypoacusis: a case control study

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Vitiligo is a progressive depigmenting cutaneous disorder, resulting from the loss of melanocytes. In the inner ear, melanocytes are believed to play an important role in development and normal functioning of stria vascularis. Acoustic abnormalities in vitiligo patients remain obscured for long durations. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of subclinical sensorineural hearing loss in vitiligo patients, if any, in comparison with controls and to detect any relevant demographic or clinical finding characteristic of hypoacusis in vitiligo patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective case control study was undertaken in 50 vitiligo patients (case group), who were compared with another 50 age and sex matched healthy volunteers (control group). All cases underwent detailed dermatological and ENT examination and were subjected to tests like pure tone audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A statistically significant (p value = 0.039), higher average pure tone hearing threshold (APT-HT) was noted in vitiligo patients in comparison with the control group. Vitiligo originating at the head and neck was strongly associated with hypoacusis (54.55%, 6 of 11 cases). TEOAE reproducibility % was reduced to 42.6% in the vitiligo group.</p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Vitiligo is associated with subclinical sensorineural hypoacusis. Vitiligo with its primary site in head and neck region and co-exixting leucotrichia shows a strong association with asymptomatic sensorineural hypoacusis in such patients. Pure tone audiometery and TEOAE can be effectively used to assess and follow up vitiligo patients for asymptomatic subclinical sensorineural hypoacusis.

Audiological Abnormalities in Vitiligo Patients: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Whereas other researchers found a higher incidence of hearing loss in female patients 24 or equal incidence in both sexes. 4,23 Similar to Maheshwari et al, 14 we also noticed a 50% incidence of SNHL in patients affected by vitiligo universalis. Hong et al 6 noticed an association of SNHL with non-segmental vitiligo, while Sharma et al 4 and Mohamed et al 9 reported generalized vitiligo as a risk factor.…”

“…However, in the present study and other studies, hearing loss was seen in patients without autoimmune and/or other metabolic diseases. 13,14 In our study, SNHL was found to be significantly higher in the older age group (41-60 years). The minimum age of patients with SNHL was 12 years, and the maximum age was 60 years.…”

“…Maheshwari et al 14 reported that vitiligo originating in the head and neck region was strongly associated with hearing loss (54.55%, 6 of 11 cases). In our study, the site of onset was the head and neck in 30% of the cases with SNHL; however, we could not find a statistically significant association.…”

“…The otic melanocytes are located in the stria vascularis, hair cells, endolymphatic sac, and vestibular organ. 14 The function of these melanocytes are not exactly known. In the stria vascularis, otic melanocytes modulate the function of Na þ /K þ -ATPase and potassium channels, which are essential for creating endocochlear electrical potential.…”

Association between sensorineural hearing loss and vitiligo: a nationwide population‐based cohort study

“…reported no significant differences in auditory evoked potentials between 50 patients with vitiligo and controls 10 . However, several case–control studies have reported a significant association between vitiligo and SNHL 3,11–17 . A previous meta‐analysis further reported a significant association between vitiligo and SNHL (odds ratio: 6.02) 18 .…”