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<p>Melanocytes are essential for hair pigmentation and cochlear function. Their degeneration is implicated in both premature graying of hair and auditory dysfunction. This study investigates whether individuals with premature graying of hair exhibit early cochlear changes detectable through extended audiometric and otoacoustic emission testing. This study aimed to investigate the auditory function in individuals with premature graying of hair and to explore a possible association between early melanocyte degeneration in hair follicles and cochlear dysfunction. Thirty-five participants aged 17–35 years were divided into two groups: a study group with premature graying (<i>n</i> = 20) and an age- and sex-matched control group without graying (<i>n</i> = 15). All participants underwent comprehensive audiological assessment including conventional and extended high-frequency pure tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, and otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs and DPOAEs). Participants with confounding conditions such as hearing loss, autoimmune disease, diabetes, or noise exposure were excluded. Conventional audiometry revealed no significant difference in hearing thresholds between groups. However, extended high-frequency thresholds (10–20&#xa0;kHz) were significantly elevated in the premature graying group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), indicating early high-frequency cochlear dysfunction. DPOAE amplitudes were significantly reduced at higher frequencies (≥ 10&#xa0;kHz) in the study group, and TEOAEs showed significant attenuation particularly at 4000&#xa0;Hz. These findings suggest subclinical cochlear changes despite normal conventional hearing. This study has small sample size and its cross- sectional design, restricts causal inference. We did not check for biochemical or genetic causes, which plays crucial role in graying of hair Individuals with premature graying of hair exhibit early signs of high-frequency auditory dysfunction, potentially linked to melanocyte degeneration in the cochlea. Premature graying may thus serve as a clinical marker for subtle auditory changes, warranting further investigation into its systemic implications.</p>

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Auditory Function in Individuals with Premature Graying of Hair

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月26日

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  • Sanjay K. Munjal,
  • Anuradha Sharma,
  • Dipankar De,
  • Ritika Dulta,
  • Sagrika Sharma,
  • Satbir Singh,
  • Jaimanti Bakshi

摘要

Melanocytes are essential for hair pigmentation and cochlear function. Their degeneration is implicated in both premature graying of hair and auditory dysfunction. This study investigates whether individuals with premature graying of hair exhibit early cochlear changes detectable through extended audiometric and otoacoustic emission testing. This study aimed to investigate the auditory function in individuals with premature graying of hair and to explore a possible association between early melanocyte degeneration in hair follicles and cochlear dysfunction. Thirty-five participants aged 17–35 years were divided into two groups: a study group with premature graying (n = 20) and an age- and sex-matched control group without graying (n = 15). All participants underwent comprehensive audiological assessment including conventional and extended high-frequency pure tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, and otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs and DPOAEs). Participants with confounding conditions such as hearing loss, autoimmune disease, diabetes, or noise exposure were excluded. Conventional audiometry revealed no significant difference in hearing thresholds between groups. However, extended high-frequency thresholds (10–20 kHz) were significantly elevated in the premature graying group (p < 0.05), indicating early high-frequency cochlear dysfunction. DPOAE amplitudes were significantly reduced at higher frequencies (≥ 10 kHz) in the study group, and TEOAEs showed significant attenuation particularly at 4000 Hz. These findings suggest subclinical cochlear changes despite normal conventional hearing. This study has small sample size and its cross- sectional design, restricts causal inference. We did not check for biochemical or genetic causes, which plays crucial role in graying of hair Individuals with premature graying of hair exhibit early signs of high-frequency auditory dysfunction, potentially linked to melanocyte degeneration in the cochlea. Premature graying may thus serve as a clinical marker for subtle auditory changes, warranting further investigation into its systemic implications.