Abstract
BackgroundSome studies have already explored the relationship between diabetes and hearing loss; however, this relationship has still not been well established, especially due to methodological limitations related to lack of control for confounders. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between self-reported hearing impairment and diabetes among adults in Brazil, controlling for sociodemographic and occupational exposure to ototoxic agents.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study based on data collected by the National Health Survey of 2013 in Brazil. A total of 60,202 individuals aged≥18 years were interviewed. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using the Poisson regression model with robust estimation of the variance. All analyzes were performed considering the appropriated weights imposed by the complex sample design.ResultsHearing loss prevalence was 2.56% (95%CI: 2.34–2.79). It was higher in males, older age groups, white and individuals with lower levels of schooling. Diabetes was positively and significantly associated with hearing loss in the crude analysis (PRcrude = 2.92; 95%CI: 2.75–3.11) and also in the analysis adjusted for gender, age, skin color, schooling, smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational exposure (PRadj = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.32–1.61).ConclusionsThe present results suggest that individuals with diabetes have higher prevalence of hearing impairment. There is the need of longitudinal studies to investigate if diabetes is a risk factor to hearing impairment.
Highlights
Some studies have already explored the relationship between diabetes and hearing loss; this relationship has still not been well established, especially due to methodological limitations related to lack of control for confounders
Among the individuals that reported self-reported hearing impairment (SHI), the highest percentages were found among women, older elderly, whites, with low level education and individuals who were exposed to occupational risk factors
There was a higher prevalence of acquired hearing impairment (HI) (91.3%), with reduced hearing (35.6% in both ears and 30.3% in only one year), participants stating that the HI does not limit (37.0%) or little limits (31.2%) them, not using a rehabilitation service (93.4%), not using a hearing aid (87.0%) and not using a reabilitation service in the case of individuals using prosthesis (83.6%)
Summary
Some studies have already explored the relationship between diabetes and hearing loss; this relationship has still not been well established, especially due to methodological limitations related to lack of control for confounders. Diabetes has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality and one of the four major chronic diseases identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a focus for control and prevention [2]. It was responsible for 4.9 million deaths worldwide in 2014 and for 11% of the total adult health expenditure, estimated at $ 612 million [3]. Audiometry is the gold standard for the detection of hearing loss but performing it in population surveys becomes complex and costly. Self-referred population surveys that verify the prevalence of hearing impairment through a simplified questionnaire may be an alternative and have been ratified in studies that found acceptable sensitivity and specificity values when compared to the gold standard [4]
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