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Hearing loss in children with type 1 diabetes
A Elamin1, M Fadlallah, T Tuevmo
1Department of Child Health, Khartoum University Hospital, Sudan. azizmin@hotmail.com
Indian Pediatrics
|February 8, 2005
Summary
Children with type 1 diabetes show reduced hearing acuity, particularly at higher frequencies. This hearing loss is linked to longer disease duration and poorer blood sugar control, suggesting improved glycemic management may prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Audiology
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition affecting children.
- Auditory function can be impacted by metabolic disorders.
- Early detection of complications is crucial for long-term health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess auditory function in children with type 1 diabetes.
- To investigate the relationship between hearing impairment and diabetes duration, metabolic control, and complications.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 63 children with type 1 diabetes and 63 controls.
- Pure-tone audiometry was conducted to evaluate hearing thresholds.
- Hearing impairment defined as auditory threshold above 25 dB.
Main Results:
- Diabetic children exhibited significantly lower hearing acuity at middle and high frequencies compared to controls.
- Hearing loss was mild, symmetrical, and equally prevalent in both sexes.
- Increased hearing thresholds correlated with longer diabetes duration, higher HbA1c, and angiopathic complications.
Conclusions:
- Hearing impairment is an early complication in children with type 1 diabetes.
- The degree of hearing loss is associated with disease duration and metabolic control.
- Maintaining strict glycemic control may help prevent or postpone auditory complications.