No Evidence of Hearing Loss in Patients With Vitiligo

To the Editor.— Recently Tosti et al1have mentioned the possible relationship between vitiligo and hearing loss. The foundation of this hypothesis is that the probable protective role of melanocytes of the inner ear has been injured by an autoimmune mechanism. We searched the records in our dermatology department for possible auditory damage in patients with vitiligo. Written consent was obtained after the nature of the procedures had been fully explained. The group was arranged in 10-year age groups to see if there was a relationship between vitiligo with clinical evolution and localization of pathologic findings. All patients who were exposed to known factors responsible for sensorineural hypoacusis, ie, noise, drugs, metabolic and vascular pathologic conditions, recurrent otologic infections, head trauma, family history of deafness, and patients older than 50 years were excluded from the study. The control group consisted of 35 healthy subjects, all within the same age