PP705 - Ethnicity Issues on Diabetes and Hearing Loss: Action Plan to Promote Community-Based Education

Rationale/Purpose

Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of diabetes has risen dramatically to 9-10 % globally. Diabetes is the leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and premature death. The mortality rate for diabetes is 50%, but this metabolic disorder is a treatable and preventable disease.

Approximately 34.5 million have hearing loss which significantly impacts the economy and quality of life. The links between diabetes and hearing loss have been debated since the 1960s. Existing research confirms a strong relationship between diabetes and hearing loss, even considering age and race factors. Hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes than those without it. Adults with pre-diabetes showed a 30% higher rate of hearing loss than individuals with normal blood glucose. It is speculated that high glucose levels damage the small blood vessels in the inner ear and affect hearing sensitivity. There is a substantial overlap in their etiology and disease mechanisms of diabetes.

Research indicated that Hispanics usually suffer from high rates of type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and vascular complications. Inadequate nutrition and reduced physical activities increased the genetic predisposition of type 2 diabetes in Hispanics.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of 504 patients with audiometric findings to study the relationship between diabetes and hearing thresholds in the multi-ethnicity population in Texas.

Research questions

1. To investigate the predictive value of race, age, and gender for diabetes on hearing loss.

2. To examine how diabetes affects audiometric configuration, tinnitus, dizziness, and ear infections.

3. To compare the current data with data analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2015-2016 dataset.

Method

This retrospective study analyzed 504 medical records from a county hospital in Houston. A comprehensive hearing evaluation included an otoscopic examination, a middle ear analysis, and an audiometric evaluation. Other relevant medical information consisted of case history and A1C data. All related variations/factors were analyzed using multiple statistical methods.

Results & Conclusion

1.    Race, age, gender revealed predictive values for diabetes and hearing loss. Hispanic population, diabetes increased with age and male gender.

2.    Diabetes affected audiometric thresholds in high frequency that associated with tinnitus and dizziness. There was a positive correlation between diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

3.    This study supported findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2015-2016 dataset on A1C value, age, and hearing loss.

The results indicated a significantly higher incidence of hearing loss in diabetes and among patients of minority races. The results further indicated a relationship between diabetes and hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus. There was a positive correlation among diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. These research findings were consistent with results analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2015-2016 dataset. Knowing the common causes and disease mechanisms will allow hearing healthcare professionals to initiate a proactive approach to preventing and treating hearing loss caused by diabetes.