Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Hearing by Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential

Background: In India, the burden of diabetes is second only to that of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1]. Both micro and macro vascular problems can be cause by diabetes. Nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy make up the triad [2]. 50 percent of patients with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) develop diabetic neuropathy. The chance of developing diabetic neuropathy rises over time [3]. Diabetes patients experience hearing loss that may be sensory neurological in nature and worsen at higher frequencies [2].

Methods: A useful technique to assess the auditory circuits in the brainstem is the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) test. BAEP waves and interpeak latencies recorded.

Results: Delayed BAEP waves and interpeak latencies recorded in diabetics.

Conclusion: These results reported abnormal auditory pathway in brainstem in diabetic patients. BAEP contributes to the clinical diagnosis of auditory neuropathy in diabetics.