A descriptive cross‑sectional study of type and severity of hearing loss among diabetic patients in a tertiary care center

Background: Hearing impairment affects communication and quality of life globally. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is linked to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) through microangiopathy and neural degeneration. Despite this, audiological screening is not standard in diabetic care. This study assessed hearing loss type and severity among diabetic patients and explored associations with diabetes duration and glycemic control. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care ENT center. 100 patients with type 2 DM and audiologically confirmed hearing loss were included. Patients with type 1 diabetes, chronic ear disease, or ototoxic drug history were excluded. Demographics, pure tone audiometry findings, and HbA1c levels were recorded. Statistical analysis using SPSS included the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test, and Spearman correlation (p