The Association Between Glycolyzed Hemoglobin A1c and Hearing Loss in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Our study aimed to determine the correlation between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and the audiometric parameters in diabetic patients. Methods We included 724 patients (376 male, 348 female) in our outpatient clinic and created four groups by reference to the HbA1c values. The first group was 192 patients with an HbA1c value < 4.5, 176 patients with an HbA1c value between 4.5-5 as Group 2, 177 patients with an HbA1c value between 5-6 as Group 3, and 179 patients that had an HbA1c value greater than 6 as Group 4. The correlations between HbA1c values and median pure tone thresholds at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz, the speech recognition thresholds, and the speech discrimination scores were compared. Results The median speech recognition thresholds, speech discrimination scores, and the median puretone thresholds at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 MHz in the left ear significantly differed in the fourth group (p < 0.001). Pure-tone thresholds at 500 Hz, 4,000 Hz, speech discrimination scores, and recognition thresholds in the right ear had a significant positive correlation in the fourth group (p < 0.001). Conclusion According to HbA1c levels, the severity of diabetes can affect high to all frequencies of hearing functions negatively. The follow-up of patients with higher levels of HbA1c should undergo audiological tests more regularly.

Hearing impairment in relation to vitamin D status in type 2 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study

“…On the other hand, patients with T2DM exhibited a higher risk of hearing impairment and incidental hearing loss [11][12][13]. The present study found that almost one-third of the patients had a moderate-to-severe hearing impairment.…”

“…Previous observational studies have linked T2DM and hearing impairment, though the current data are controversial [9,10]. Patients with T2DM exhibited a higher risk of hearing impairment and incidental hearing loss [9,[11][12][13]. Nonetheless, the exact pathogenic mechanism by which T2DM affects the vestibular and auditory systems has not been fully understood yet.…”

Hearing Loss in Diabetic Patients Linked with Glycolyzed Hemoglobin A1C

“…Findings of current research was comparable to the previous studies. [19,20] In group I 18 (45%) patients were smokers and in group II 15 (27.5%) were smokers. [21] As a result of microvascular problems, the high-frequency specific regions of the cochlea may be more sensitive to ischemia alterations [22] resulting in diabetes-related hearing loss.…”

Hearing Impairment and Allostatic Load in Older Adults

“…Cardiovascular factors, such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, have a complex association with noise exposure and hearing loss; however, studies are inconsistent and oftentimes contradictory . The microvascular consequences of diabetes include hearing loss, with known associations between hyperglycemia and glycohemoglobin levels with hearing loss . Other metabolic factors that may be associated with the ramifications of stress, such as body mass index, have also shown similar associations with hearing loss .…”

“…[41][42][43] The microvascular conse- quences of diabetes include hearing loss, with known associations between hyperglycemia and glycohemoglobin levels with hearing loss. [44][45][46] Other metabolic factors that may be associated with the ramifications of stress, such as body mass index, have also shown similar associations with hearing loss. 47 Lastly, systemic inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein levels, have an unclear association with hearing, with associations noted only stratifying by age.…”