Prevalence of hearing loss among Saudi type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare hearing impairment and audiometric shapes associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with an age-matched control group in the Saudi population.

METHODS: This is an observational case-control study at a tertiary academic referral center. We recruited 196 individuals (age; 29-69 years) attending the Department of Otolaryngology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital between January 2005 to December 2009, and grouped them into T2DM (n=109) and control (n=87) groups. We excluded patients with a history of noise exposure, conductive hearing loss, ototoxic medications, and a positive family history of hearing impairment. Age, gender, family history, duration of T2DM, current treatment, and presence of diabetic complications were noted. Pure tone hearing (in decibels [dB])was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed against the matched control group.

RESULTS: We identified a strong relationship between T2DM and low and mid frequencies hearing loss than the matched controls. A flat audiogram was the most common audiometric shape observed. Patients with associated diabetic complications were at a higher risk of hearing loss, while hyperglycemic control by insulin was also observed to be a risk factor for hearing loss.

CONCLUSION: The T2DM is strongly associated with hearing loss especially in the low and mid frequencies. Several factors including age, diabetes control by insulin, and presence of complications, may be risk factors for hearing loss in DM patients.