Khaberni - A comprehensive study has revealed that individuals with type 2 diabetes are at risk of hearing loss, a complication that is often not diagnosed or examined.
Researchers from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Clinic Hospital and the University of Barcelona in Spain conducted the study, the results of which were published in the Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in September, and were reported by “EurekAlert” website.
The study analyzed data from 17 studies involving nearly 4,000 individuals with diabetes and an equal number of healthy controls.
The results paint a worrying picture as the prevalence of hearing loss among type 2 diabetes patients ranged from 40.6% to 71.9%. Compared to the control group, the risk of hearing loss is 4.19 times higher in diabetics.
The prevalence of hearing loss was significantly higher among those diagnosed with diabetes for more than 10 years, as these individuals faced a 2.07 times higher risk compared to those who had the disease for a shorter time.
Changes in blood circulation
Patients—who suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss—had higher levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared to the control group, indicating that poor glucose control is associated with more severe hearing impairment.
According to the research, the gender of diabetes patients had no impact on the prevalence of hearing loss.
The authors of the study suggest that hearing loss in type 2 diabetes patients may result from changes in the microvascular circulation that affect the cochlea, leading to changes in the microstructure of the inner ear's hair cells, including thickening of the basilar membrane and atrophy of the vascular stripes.
As diabetes affects millions—and the numbers continue to rise—this research underscores the importance of comprehensive care for diabetes patients, which includes hearing assessment.
