Most individuals with either segmental or non-segmental vitiligo display evidence of bilateral cochlear dysfunction

Vitiligo has been classified clinically into segmental vitiligo (SV) and nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) and may also be associated with audiological abnormalities.

We examined cochlear function in ears of individuals with SV and NSV, including subjects with facial and nonfacial lesions, and in patients who have SV with unilateral facial involvement.

This study included 25 patients with SV and 28 patients with NSV. Fifteen age- and sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Cochlear function was studied using the distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Data were analysed using SPSS.

Sixty-four ears (60%) of patients with vitiligo had cochlear dysfunction while the control group exhibited no abnormalities. On comparing the cochlear dysfunction of patients with SV with patients with NSV, no statistically significant difference was found. The ears on both sides, affected and unaffected by vitiligo, in patients with SV showed cochlear dysfunction with no statistically significant difference in DPOAE. To determine the effect of the lesion side on cochlear function, we compared DPOAE amplitude using Student's t-test. The comparisons included NSV of the face vs. NSV on other areas, NSV of the face vs. SV of the face and SV of the face vs. SV of other areas. No statistically significant difference was found in these comparisons.

Bilateral cochlear dysfunction is common in both NSV and SV and does not reflect the appearance of vitiligo in the skin. Our results underscore the important role of melanocytes and melanin in cochlear function, and suggest that the cochlear abnormalities in SV point to the presence of additional nonsegmental pathophysiological events underlying all forms of vitiligo.