Hearing and diabetic neuropathy.

Hearing was studied audiometrically in 20 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy, and the results were compared with those from a group of normal, age-matched subjects. Although the patients gave no history of hearing loss or ear disease, 11 (55%) had symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss involving at least one frequency. Regression analysis demonstrated significantly higher hearing thresholds for the diabetic group at nine of 11 frequencies tested. Decreased hearing acuity in diabetes mellitus may be related to neuropathy of the auditory nerve.