Cochlear Dysfunction Is Common in Both Segmental and Nonsegmental Vitiligo

Abstract

Melanocytes, the cells targeted in vitiligo skin lesions, are also necessary for normal functioning of the cochlea and other organs of the inner ear. Recent studies have demonstrated that up to 19% of vitiligo patients have sensorineural hearing loss. Moreover, vitiligo patients with normal audiograms may have subclinical cochlear pathology measurable on otoacoustic-emissions testing. Vitiligo is clinically classified into segmental (SV) and nonsegmental (NSV) types. In a recent study …