Hearing screening in older adults with diabetes: identifying the most reliable methods

This project is a systematic review aimed at identifying, describing, and comparing hearing screening methods used in older adults with diabetes mellitus, assessing their diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness for early detection of hearing loss. Hearing loss is a common yet often underdiagnosed condition among older adults with diabetes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Given the association between diabetes and microvascular and neuropathic changes that affect auditory function, effective screening is essential for timely intervention and improved quality of life. The review will follow strict eligibility criteria and draw on multiple databases (including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and LILACS), with methodological quality assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The findings are expected to support the identification of the most reliable and feasible hearing screening methods for this specific population, contributing to improved auditory health care practices.