Pediatric alopecia areata: evaluation of auditory and cochlear functions

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the auditory and cochlear functions of alopecia areata (AA) in pediatric patients, which is an immune-mediated disease that occurs as a hair loss. Material & Methods: Patients aged between 5 and 17 years with AA at least 6 months were included in the study. In both groups, the mean values of pure tone audiogram (PTA) hearing thresholds and otoacoustic emission (OAE) measurements after otoscopic examination were compared. Otoacoustic emissions of the distortion product (DPOAE) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 kHz frequencies were recorded. Results: The study included 54 volunteer children that were 22 healthy volunteer children and 32 with complaints of AA. When hearing averages and threshold values ​​with PTA and OAE were examined, no hearing loss was observed in the speech frequencies (500-2000) in both groups (0%). In the 1st group mild hearing loss at PTA and OAE in 6 patients (20-40 db), and in high frequencies in both ears (8000-12000) in 2 patients (25%). In 24 patients, hearing loss were not observed in PTA and OAE (75%). In the second group, high frequency thresholds of PTA and OAE were observed normal (0%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It has been claimed that follicular melanocytes may be an important target in the autoimmune process of alopecia areata in current studies in the literature. AA can affect the hearing function by affecting the melanocytes in the inner ear. Therefore, the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and an autoimmune disease, alopecia areata, can be established.