Audiological findings in patients with leprosy.

Background: Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is a chronic infectious disease primarily affecting the skin and nervous system. The vestibulocochlear nerve may also be impacted, potentially leading to auditory dysfunction.

Aims/objectives: This study investigates the effects of leprosy on the vestibulocochlear nerve and its impact on auditory function through a comprehensive audiological evaluation.

Material and methods: A total of 15 leprosy patients and 15 healthy individuals were included. Audiological assessments were conducted at a tertiary care hospital. All participants underwent pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and brainstem auditory evoked response (BERA) tests. Hearing thresholds, wave latencies, and neural conduction were analyzed.

Results: Hearing thresholds were significantly higher in leprosy patients than in the control group. BERA results showed a significant prolongation of wave I and wave III latencies in leprosy patients, indicating dysfunction at the level of the acoustic nerve and superior olivary complex.

Conclusions and significance: Leprosy may contribute to auditory dysfunction by affecting the myelin sheath of the peripheral and central nervous systems. These findings provide insight into the impact of leprosy on the vestibulocochlear nerve and emphasize the importance of audiological evaluation in leprosy patients.