Introduction: Vitiligo is an acquired hypomelanotic disorder characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules or patches resulting from loss of functional melanocytes and of melanin from the epidermis. The affection of extracutaneous melanocytes in some vitiligo patients suggests that systemic immunological reactions directed at pigment cells might play a role in the development of the disease.
Aim of the work: Evaluation of the cochlea and the auditory nerve in vitiligo patients.
Patients and Methods: Cross sectional clinical study included total number of 60 subjects were examined. All subjects included were subjected to the following procedures: Full history taking, clinical examination, Basic audiologic evaluation, Transient Evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE), Auditory Brainstem Response test (ABR).
Results: The ABR finding concluded that melanin play a significant role in establishment and maintenance of structure and function of the auditory system and may modulate the transduction of auditory stimuli by the inner ear.
Conclusion: TEOAE and DPOAE are sensitive tests for detecting cochlear dysfunction before symptoms become manifested as the TEOAE and DPOAE were impaired in 35% and 35%of the ears with normal hearing.