Screening for Subclinical Hearing Impairment in Type 1 Diabetic Children: An Early Detection Approach

Background: Atrophy of spiral ganglion neurons and vestibulocochlear nerve demyelination have been observed in diabetic patients. This demyelination is considered an early pathological change in the peripheral nerves of the extremities, indicating that myelin metabolism disturbances may significantly contribute to diabetic neuropathy. The study aims to identify the early onset of subclinical hearing impairment in children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: A total of 134 pediatric patients aged 6 to 17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 DM, having an average disease duration exceeding one year, were included in the study. Another 134 healthy children, matched by age and sex, served as the control group. Each participant underwent a thorough ENT evaluation, and auditory function was assessed using Pure-tone Audiometry (PTA) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). The evaluation of hearing thresholds involved pure tone audiometric tests, measuring bone and air conduction thresholds across the frequency ranges of 250–4000 Hz and 250–8000 Hz, respectively. Results: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was identified in 9.70% of the Type 1 DM patients, while no cases were found in the control group. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between SNHL and the patients’ glycemic profiles. Conclusion: Routine hearing assessments may be a critical component of the standard care for children with Type 1 DM. By incorporating hearing evaluations into routine clinical monitoring, healthcare providers can track auditory function in addition to managing glycemic control and other diabetes-related issues, thus adopting a more integrated approach to the overall well-being and quality of life in pediatric Type 1 DM patients.