Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a hospital based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: One of the most important of the five senses in human beings is hearing. It plays an important role in the development of speech, cognitive and communication skills. The decrease in length, quality of life and depletion of social networks can be caused by hearing impairment. Therefore, the sense of hearing, perception of sound and its biological purposes, can’t be lightly dismissed. Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder that causes impairment in various systems of the body. One of the complications of diabetes mellitus is hearing impairment and tinnitus which in turn leads to decreased quality of life in affected individuals. Methods: 75 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients age group of 35 -55 yrs with or without aural symptoms (deafness, tinnitus) were taken into the study. Results: prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was found 60%. Prevalence of SNHL is lowest among 35-40 age group (12.5%) and highest among 51-55 age group (80.5%). Prevalence of SNHL among the diabetic patients was calculated and it was noted to be 36.8%, 60% and 74% with the duration of diabetes ≤5 yrs, 6-10 yrs, ≥11 yrs. respectively. Conclusions: SNHL is prevalent in 60% of type II diabetic patients.