One of the known complications of diabetes is hearing impairment. This comparative study in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, aimed to evaluate the association of diabetes mellitus and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) among a non-elderly population. Among 160 subjects aged < 60 years with no history of occupational noise exposure (80 diabetics and 80 age-and sex-matched non-diabetic controls), 45% of diabetic patients and 20% of controls had SNHL (OR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6-6.6). Age at onset and duration of diabetes were associated with SNHL. Diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for hearing loss regardless of age and smoking. Determining the cause of SNHL in diabetic patients may lead to development of better treatment options. (OR 3,5 ; 95 % IC : 1,6). Il est apparu que l'âge au moment de la survenue du diabète et la durée de celui-ci sont associés à la perte auditive neurosensorielle. Le diabète sucré peut constituer un facteur de risque de perte d'audition, quel que soit l'âge ou le statut tabagique. La détermination de la cause de la perte auditive neurosensorielle chez les patients diabétiques peut permettre le développement d'options thérapeutiques plus efficaces.