Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in patients with haemophilia

Abstract

This study investigated the cochlear function of 13 haemophilic patients using distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) assessment techniques. Out of the 26 ears examined, a minority of them produced responses that were considered to be impaired. A positive correlation was found between clotting factor level and DPOAE amplitude, and DPOAE/ noise ratio at high frequencies (4, 6, 8 kHz). Clotting factor level, which is indicative of the severity of haemophilia, may be related to hearing status. It was also revealed that DPOAE amplitude and DPOAE/ noise ratio at low frequencies (1, 2, 3 kHz) were greater than those at high frequencies (4, 6, 8 kHz). Therefore the high-frequency cochlear region may be more sensitive to damage. Intracranial micro-haemorrhage in haemophilic individuals may be linked to an increased risk of cochlear damage. Further studies may use brain computed tomography scan to explore the possible link between intracranial micro-haemorrhage and hearing loss.