Peripheral and central auditory pathways function with rheumatoid arthritis

We aimed to determine auditory pathways functions with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Included were 46 adult females. They underwent audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and brainstem-auditory response (ABR). Hearing losses were reported in 60.87% ears. Compared to controls, TEOAE at 3.0-4.0 kHz were lower in 39.13% ears. ABR showed prolonged waves I and III-V latencies. Prolonged wave I and III-V and I-V latencies were observed in 45.65, 39.13 and 17.39% ears. Significant associations were identified between duration of RA and hearing thresholds, waves I and III and III-V and I-V latencies and TEOAEs amplitudes at 4 kHz. Chronic RA causes pathologies of the auditory nerve, cochlea and auditory pathway within the brainstem.