PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEARING LOSS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background: Hearing loss is an increasingly recognized but often overlooked complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), potentially resulting from chronic metabolic and microvascular changes affecting the auditory system. Aim: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss among patients with T1DM and assess its association with age, duration of diabetes, glycaemic control, and diabetic complications. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based observational study included 80 patients with T1DM attending a tertiary care hospital in Channapatna over one year. Participants underwent clinical assessment and audiological evaluation. Relevant clinical and metabolic factors were recorded and their associations with hearing loss were analysed. Results: Hearing loss was detected in 26 patients (32.5%), predominantly sensorineural (27.5%). Hearing loss was significantly associated with age ≥40 years (p=0.006), diabetes duration ≥10 years (p<0.001), HbA1c >9% (p=0.001), and diabetic complications (p=0.009). Conclusion: Hearing loss is relatively common in T1DM and warrants early audiological assessment, particularly among patients with prolonged disease duration and poor glycaemic control.