Evaluation of effects of diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperlipidemia on hearing

Abstract

Background: Age related hearing loss or Presbyacusis may be defined as mid to late onset, bilateral, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, where underlying causes have been excluded. In recent decades there has been a rapid progression in population aging, and with advancing age, chronic diseases and functional impairments become more common. Varying ranges of the prevalence of sensorineural deafness in subjects with diabetes and hyperlipidemia has been reported. The present study was undertaken to determine whether or not diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperlipidemia induced auditory dysfunction. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional observational study was undertaken which comprised of a total of 200 subjects who were divided in 4 groups, which comprised of 50 control subjects in one group and 150 case subjects in the other 3 groups with presence of diabetes mellitus type 2, hyperlipidemia and those having both diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperlipidemia. All subjects were evaluated by conducting pure tone audiometry and blood investigations like lipid profile and fasting and postprandial blood sugars. Results: It was observed that hearing loss was more prevalent (62%) and highly significant (P 0.001) as compared to controls in patients with both diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperlipidemia together. The hearing loss was significantly more for higher frequencies in air and bone conduction thresholds. Conclusion: The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss was increased in subjects having both diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperlipidemia and these subjects are at a higher risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss. The hearing loss was progressive, bilateral and affected mainly higher frequencies.