Comparison of Hearing Abnormalities in Non-Diabetic and Diabetic End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Hearing loss is a highly prevalent symptom in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Comorbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus is known as the most common cause of CKD and a significant risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to compare SNHL among diabetic with non-diabetic hemodialysis patients.

In this study, 33 diabetic patients on hemodialysis were selected from Hami center, Arak, Iran. Non-diabetic subjects were 31 hemodialysis patients without diabetes were matched for age, duration of CKD and hemodialysis. Data were obtained via questionnaire, patients’ files, physical examination, otoscopy and tympanometry. Hearing was analyzed using pure-tone audiometry for both groups.

In the study, 66.2% of diabetic patients and 52.1% of non-diabetic subjects had SNHL. Results showed that diabetic patient has 1.3 times more likely to have hearing impairment. This difference was not statistically significant. Bilateral mild SNHL was the most prevalent in both groups. No significant difference was reported in SNHL prevalence, mean thresholds of hearing and ear laterality between the groups. Gender and age had a significant effect on hearing loss after adjusting covariables. No significant association was found between diabetes and hearing loss.

SNHL was more common in hemodialysis patients with diabetes. Patients with diabetes had poorer hearing thresholds compared to non-diabetic group, with no significant difference between groups. The periodical assessment of hearing and extending audiological care in this high-risk population is recommended due to long-term irreversible symptoms of the disease.