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Hearing loss in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
1Department of Otolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Firat University, Elaziğ, Turkey.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Diabetic patients experience significantly worse hearing than non-diabetics. Diabetes complications and duration, especially over ten years, negatively impact hearing thresholds, particularly at mid and high frequencies.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Endocrinology
- Audiology
Background:
- The link between diabetes mellitus and hearing loss remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.
- Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder with potential systemic complications affecting various organs, including the auditory system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and hearing loss.
- To determine if diabetes complications and disease duration influence hearing function in diabetic patients.
Main Methods:
- Pure tone audiometry was conducted on 75 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 40 matched non-diabetic controls.
- Participants' ages ranged from 14 to 60 years, with detailed audiometric testing using an Interacoustics AC5 audiometer.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients demonstrated significantly poorer hearing compared to the control group.
- Diabetes-related complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) significantly correlated with sensorineural hearing loss.
- Longer diabetes duration, particularly beyond 10 years, showed a noticeable impact on hearing thresholds at mid and high frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes mellitus is associated with significantly impaired hearing.
- Hearing loss in diabetics is exacerbated by the presence of complications and prolonged disease duration.
- Early detection and management of diabetes and its complications are crucial for preserving auditory function.