Prevalence of Sensory Neural Hearing Loss in a Sample of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Erbil City

Background: Globally, the prevalence of T2DM has risen dramatically, becoming a significant public health concern due to its various complications. The diabetic patients may have a higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) compared to the non-diabetic population. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of SNHL among diabetic patients in clinical settings in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with a comparative group was designed for the current healthy and type II diabetic patients. The study was conducted at Galiawa Diabetes Center and Rzgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil city (October 2024 - October 2025). Results: The study included 150 participants, with 50% diabetic and 51.3% female. Most had higher education (46%), middle socioeconomic status (62%), and 64% faced SNHL. Left-side SNHL (3.3%) was most common, with 23.3% mild and 1.3% severe cases. The mean age was 50.45 ± 8.98 years, diabetes duration 4.85 ± 4.52 years, and HbA1c 6.86 ± 0.89%. No significant association was found between diabetes and gender, education, or socioeconomic status (p > 0.05). However, SNHL was higher in diabetics (52% vs. 20%), with significant links to bilateral (44%), left (5.3%), and right (2.7%) SNHL, as well as severity (29.3% mild vs. 2.7% severe, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study confirms a significant association between diabetes and SNHL, with diabetics showing higher prevalence (52%), longer disease duration, and poorer glycaemic control. SNHL severity and laterality were also linked to diabetes, with no associations with gender, education, or socioeconomic status.