CLINICAL, AUDIOLOGICAL AND PREVENTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF HEARING FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND DIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and one of its most prevalent late complications, diabetic polyneuropathy, exert a detrimental impact on multiple physiological systems, including the auditory analyser. Growing evidence suggests that chronic hyperglycaemia and diabetes-related microvascular and neuropathic changes contribute to progressive auditory dysfunction. This scientific study investigates the clinical and audiological characteristics of hearing function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic polyneuropathy, with particular attention to the underlying pathophysiological alterations of the auditory system and preventive strategies. The study involved comprehensive clinical and neurological examinations, pure-tone threshold and speech audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emission testing. Audiological assessment revealed that the majority of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy exhibited sensorineural hearing loss, predominantly affecting high-frequency ranges. The severity of hearing impairment demonstrated a strong correlation with the duration of diabetes, the level of glycaemic control, and the degree of neuropathic involvement. The findings highlight the clinical significance of auditory dysfunction as an underrecognised complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Timely audiological screening and the implementation of comprehensive preventive measures play a crucial role in early detection of hearing impairment and in preventing further progression of auditory dysfunction in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.