[Evoked acoustic oto-emissions in patients with diabetes mellitus]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cochlear function in patients with diabetes mellitus by analysis of evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE). EOAE were studied in 20 diabetic patients with normal hearing. The parameters used for analysis were the EOAE intensity and amplitude measured per 100 Hz frequency bands between 700 and 4000 Hz These data were compared to the data obtained in a group of non-diabetic control subjects with normal hearing using a Student's t test. The mean EOAE intensity and amplitude by 100 Hz frequency band was significantly lower in diabetic patients than in the control group. This seems to indicate the existence of an alteration in cochlear micromechanics in diabetic patients possibly due to changes in the functioning of the hair cells.