Prevalence and Association of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Among Diabetic Patients: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Jamuhar, Sasaram, Bihar
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting multiple systems, and growing evidence links it to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) through mechanisms such as cochlear microangiopathy and auditory neuropathy. Data from rural India remain scarce. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of SNHL among diabetic patients in Jamuhar, Sasaram, Bihar, and assess its association with disease characteristics using audiological tests. Methodology: A cross-sectional community-based study was performed at Narayan Medical College and Hospital, Jamuhar, Sasaram, Bihar on 100 subjects; 50 having type 2 DM and 50 matched on age and gender having non-diabetes. All participants underwent biochemical analysis and audiological tests: Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: SNHL was more common in diabetics (84% vs. 62%) and was more severe as indicated by moderate to profound loss in 52% of the diabetic subjects versus 28% in non-diabetic subjects; DPOAE indicated abnormal cochlear function for the diabetic subjects in 80% of cases versus 56% for the controls, indicating clinically unevaluated cochlear function. BERA showed prolongation in the wave V and I–V interpeak latencies across all test intensities (P < 0.001), consistent with delay conduction along the auditory pathway. The diabetic subjects were older (mean age 52.3 years vs. 34.6 years) and had poorer glycemic control (mean HbA1c 8.1%). Conclusion: Diabetes markedly increases the prevalence and degree of SNHL by disturbing the cochlear and retrocochlear pathways. Routine audiological screening and strict control of glycemic levels are recommended in order to mitigate the occurrence of auditory problems.
Authors: Akhil Sareen, Ravi Ranjan, handrakant Diwakar
Institution: Narayan Medical College and Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Sensory Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416774637