Hearing loss common in diabetes

  • June 27, 2011

ADA 71st Scientific Sessions

SAN DIEGO — Age-related hearing loss occurs more frequently among patients with diabetes compared with people who do not have diabetes. Although the mechanism to explain this association remains unclear, results of a new meta-analysis demonstrate a 2.28-fold increase in the association between diabetes and hearing impairment.

Hirohito Sone, MD, PhD, professor in the department of endocrinology and metabolism, University of Tsukuba Mito medical center, and colleagues analyzed data from 13 observational studies of 8,797 hearing impairment cases and 11,264 non-hearing impairment cases. Nine studies included population-based participants and four included hospital-based participants.

Studies were identified using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and were cross-sectional in design, with an outcome of non-idiopathic progressive hearing impairment not due to noise or heredity. In all studies, hearing impairment was defined by cut-off values of pure-tone thresholds measured at a frequency range that included 2,000 Hz, and data on hearing impairment and non-hearing impairment in the presence of diabetes were presented.

The odds ratio for hearing impairment in diabetes was 2.88 (95% CI, 1.82-2.86). Additionally, in studies of patients with a mean age younger than 60 years, and those with patients in hospital settings, the researchers found a positive association between hearing impairment and diabetes (OR=2.04 and OR=3.68). In all studies, the risk for hearing impairment associated with diabetes was consistently positive.

“We found that this relationship was strongly established by this study, and hearing loss should be considered an established complication of diabetes,” Sone told Endocrine Today at the Presidents’ Poster reception. “The hearing test should be determined in all diabetic patients whenever possible.” – by Stacey L. Fisher

For more information:

  • Horikawa C. 0426-PP. Presented at: American Diabetes Association’s 71st Scientific Sessions; June 24-28, 2011; San Diego, Calif.

Disclosures: Dr. Sone reports no relevant financial disclosures.

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