Hidden hearing effects of diabetes: insight from auditory brainstem response analysis

Abstract Background The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus has risen significantly, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of its public health impact. Research demonstrates a significant correlation between diabetes and sensorineural hearing loss. Aims This study aims to investigate the subclinical effects of diabetes mellitus on the auditory pathway by analyzing wave latencies and interpeak intervals in auditory brainstem responses. Additionally, it seeks to assess the influence of glycemic control on these auditory pathway alterations. Patients and methods A case-control study was conducted on 120 participants, divided into three groups: 30 patients with controlled diabetes mellitus, 30 patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and 60 healthy controls. All participants were evaluated by clinical examination, pure-tone audiometry, auditory brainstem responses, and hemoglobin A1c. Statistical analysis was carried out to assess the relation between diabetes mellitus and the parameters of auditory brainstem response, the latency and interpeak intervals of waves I, III, and V. Results Auditory brainstem responses recorded statistically significant longer wave latencies in the uncontrolled diabetes mellitus group. A comparison of interpeak intervals among the studied groups revealed that the right and left I-V and III-V intervals are significantly longer in the uncontrolled diabetes mellitus group compared to the other groups. Conclusion Diabetes mellitus contributes to dysfunction in the auditory neuronal pathway. Auditory brainstem response is a valuable tool for detecting subclinical changes in neuronal conduction. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is particularly associated with significant delays in neural conduction.