Audiological and Electrophysiological Changes in Patients with Vitiligo

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Oto-neurology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition affecting melanocytes.
• Potential extra-cutaneous manifestations of vitiligo are increasingly recognized.
• Auditory system involvement in vitiligo requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate audiological and electrophysiological findings in vitiligo patients.
• To compare these findings with those of normal hearing controls.
• To explore differences between localized and generalized vitiligo in auditory function.

Main Methods:

• Pure tone audiometry (PTA) and extended high-frequency audiometry.
• Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs): Transient (TOAEs) and Distortion Product (DPOAEs).
• Auditory electrophysiology: Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) and Middle Latency Responses (MLR).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in PTA, TOAEs, and DPOAEs between vitiligo patients and controls.
• ABR showed significant differences in wave latencies and interpeak latencies.
• Localized vitiligo exhibited more pronounced hearing alterations than generalized vitiligo.

Conclusions:

• Vitiligo is associated with measurable auditory and electrophysiological changes.
• Cochlear function appears to be compromised in individuals with vitiligo.
• The extent of vitiligo correlates with the severity of auditory impairment.