Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with microvascular and neuropathic complications, and emerging evidence suggests that auditory dysfunction may be one of its under-recognised consequences. This exposure-based cross-sectional study investigated the association between diabetes mellitus and sensorineural hearing loss by comparing auditory function in diabetic patients and age- and sex-frequency-matched non-diabetic comparison participants. A total of 120 participants were included, comprising 60 diabetic patients and 60 non-diabetic participants. Clinical information, diabetes-related variables, and pure-tone audiometric findings were assessed. Sensorineural hearing loss was more prevalent among diabetic patients than non-diabetic participants on unadjusted analysis (43.3% versus 8.3%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that diabetes status remained independently associated with sensorineural hearing loss after adjustment for controlled hypertension and age (adjusted odds ratio = 11.61, 95% confidence interval: 3.78 - 35.63, p < 0.001). In the diabetic subgroup, each 1-year increase in diabetes duration was independently associated with higher odds of sensorineural hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.46 - 2.98, p < 0.001). Bilateral involvement was more common than unilateral loss, and mild sensorineural hearing loss was the most frequent severity category. These findings support an independent association between diabetes mellitus and sensorineural hearing impairment, with longer disease duration associated with a higher likelihood of sensorineural hearing loss among diabetic patients.
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