HEARING STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH BEHCET'S DISEASE: A PROSPECTIVE PRELIMINARY STUDY

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the hearing status of children with Behcet's Disease (BD). Materials and Method: It is a prospective, cross-sectional, controlled study. Pure-tone audiometry including high-frequencies and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) were performed in 15 children with BD and 13 healthy controls. Results: Although both groups had normal hearing levels, the pure tone average of the study group was higher than the healthy controls. Hearing thresholds at 500 Hz and 4000 Hz were statistically significantly higher in children with BD. There was a significant difference in DPOAE levels at 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz. Children with BD had lower levels at these frequencies. Conclusion: In spite of the statistical differences in pure tone audiometry between the two groups, the delta was about 5 dB, which might not have clinical importance. However, this is the first study in children, and further studies are required.