Diabetes mellitus and hearing loss

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major disease threatening human health and its incidence is increasing year on year. As a chronic complication of DM, hearing loss mostly occurs undetectably. However, the mechanism of this diabetes-related hearing loss (DRHL) remains unclear and there is no effective clinical treatment. Studies of animal or human pathology show that DM causes damage to the blood vessels, spiral ganglion neurons, afferent nerve fibers, the organ of Corti, and the stria vascularis of the inner ear. In recent years, more advances in pathological research have revealed the possible mechanism of DRHL. In addition, a large number of clinical studies suggest that the duration and severity of DM are closely related to the incidence and severity of DRHL. This review focuses on the relationship between DM and hearing loss. The clinical audiological characteristics of diabetic patients, risk factors for DRHL, typical pathology, and potential interventions of DRHL are summarized. This will help reveal the pathogenesis and intervention approaches for DRHL.

Causal association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute suppurative otitis media: insights from a univariate and multivariate Mendelian randomization study

“…Previous studies have identified DM as a potential risk factor for HL ( 21 , 22 ). However, there are different types of HL, which are often classified by anatomical deficit as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed ( 1 ).…”

“…Previous studies have highlighted a greater incidence of HL in DM patients compared to nondiabetic patients, and revealed a direct correlation between the severity of DM and the extent of HL ( 21 – 23 ). Patients with T2DM have shown both HL and vestibular dysfunction ( 24 ).…”

Auditory Acuity in Diabetes Mellitus Type Ii: A Case–control Study

“…Individuals having Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of auditory complications, including sensory neuropathy, cellular damage, accelerated atherosclerosis, and vasculitis [10]. DM is known to affect cochlear cells, spiral ganglion neurons, the organ of Corti, and the stria vascularis thereby affecting auditory acuity in individuals with DM [11]. In addition to hearing loss, these changes also have repercussions that could account for symptoms such as dizziness and tinnitus [12].Despite knowing that DM affects hearing this aspect of management largely remains neglected and all the efforts are directed toward managing diabetes and its other complications [13].…”