Early detection of cochlear hearing loss in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that has cardinal articular and peri-articular symptoms. Extra-articular manifestations (EAMs) are also reported among RA patients. In the current study, we assessed hearing function in 50 An extensive audiological assessment including pure tone audiometry (PTA), extended high-frequency (EHFA), tympanometry, acoustic reflex addition to oto-acoustic emission (OAEs) were done. Results Our data demonstrates participants with median disease duration of 8 years, about 80% had normal using PTA EHFA. However, 46% them had—interestingly—demonstrated absent OAEs, suggesting early stages cochlear loss. Conclusion We conclude rheumatoid can cause impairment be diagnosed by TEOAEs.