Jin Li1,2, Yi Zhang1,2, Xinxing Fu1,2, Jingtao Bi1,2, Yanhong Li1,2, Bo Liu1,2, Luo Zhang1,2. 1. a Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery , Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China. 2. b Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology , Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Capital Medical University), Ministry of Education , Beijing , China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hearing loss has not been fully investigated and there is little information on the effects of pre-diabetes on alterations in auditory function in Chinese subjects. METHODS: The study recruited 51 patients with T2DM, 55 patients with pre-diabetes and 43 control subjects. Auditory function was assessed by pure tone audiometry (PTA) tests and distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Tinnitus symptoms were recorded using a medical history questionnaire. RESULTS: A significantly larger number of patients with T2DM (45.1%) were affected by hearing loss, compared to pre-diabetes patients (23.6%; p = .04) and control subjects (25.6%; p = .02), as assessed by PTA. There was no significant difference in PTA between the number of pre-diabetes patients and control subjects. In contrast, mean DPOAEs amplitudes of the pre-diabetes patients were significantly lower than of the control subjects, at all frequencies investigated, except 0.75 kHz. A significantly greater number of pre-diabetes patients reported tinnitus symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is associated with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, especially at high frequencies. While pre-diabetes is not necessarily associated with significant hearing loss, there may be cochlear malfunction, as indicated by DPOAEs. Thus, patients with pre-diabetes who have tinnitus may benefit from DPOAEs and PTA tests.
BACKGROUND: The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hearing loss has not been fully investigated and there is little information on the effects of pre-diabetes on alterations in auditory function in Chinese subjects. METHODS: The study recruited 51 patients with T2DM, 55 patients with pre-diabetes and 43 control subjects. Auditory function was assessed by pure tone audiometry (PTA) tests and distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Tinnitus symptoms were recorded using a medical history questionnaire. RESULTS: A significantly larger number of patients with T2DM (45.1%) were affected by hearing loss, compared to pre-diabetespatients (23.6%; p = .04) and control subjects (25.6%; p = .02), as assessed by PTA. There was no significant difference in PTA between the number of pre-diabetespatients and control subjects. In contrast, mean DPOAEs amplitudes of the pre-diabetespatients were significantly lower than of the control subjects, at all frequencies investigated, except 0.75 kHz. A significantly greater number of pre-diabetespatients reported tinnitus symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Diabetes is associated with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, especially at high frequencies. While pre-diabetes is not necessarily associated with significant hearing loss, there may be cochlear malfunction, as indicated by DPOAEs. Thus, patients with pre-diabetes who have tinnitus may benefit from DPOAEs and PTA tests.
Entities:
Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus; auditory function; pre-diabetes; tinnitus symptoms
Authors: Omar Yaxmehen Bello-Chavolla; Carlos Alberto Aguilar-Salinas; José Alberto Avila-Funes Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2020-09-22 Impact factor: 3.921