High-Frequency Audiovestibular Dysfunction in Long-Standing Diabetes Mellitus: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Indian journal of otolaryngology, and head, and neck surgery and head, and neck surgery, 2024-08, Vol.76 (4), p.3271-3276
• Main Authors: Patil, Srushti, Karambelkar, Rajesh, Joshi, Shreyas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cross-sectional studies; Diabetes; Head and Neck Surgery; Hearing loss; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Otorhinolaryngology
• ISSN: 2231-3796; 0973-7707
• DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04671-2

This study investigates audiovestibular dysfunction in individuals with long-standing diabetes mellitus (DM). A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 patients (DM for ≥ 10 years) at the Department of E.N.T. in Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sangli, Maharashtra. A mean age of 43.09 years among patients, with 64% male and 36% female participants. Hearing loss was the most common complaint, affecting 46% of subjects, followed by vertigo in 23%. Pure tone audiometry revealed that 34% of patients had sensorineural hearing loss, with varying degrees of severity. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in 10% of cases. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between the duration of DM and hearing thresholds at various frequencies, as well as with HbA1c levels. This suggests a worsening of hearing with longer DM duration and higher HbA1c levels. The prevalence of hearing impairment was higher at higher frequencies, with vestibular dysfunction also noted in a subset of patients.