Acoustic emissions from the inner ear and brain stem responses in type 2 diabetics

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the auditory brain stem response (ABR) and acoustic emissions of the inner ear (OAE) in middle-aged type 2 diabetics. Methods: Fifty type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic patients aged 40-50 years and attending the Tabriz Medical University outpatient clinics were recruited for this study during 2009-2010. All ABR and OAE procedures were implemented by an audiometrist. The relationship between ABR and OAE findings and demographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics was investigated. Results: Fifty patients (34 female and 16 male) of average age 45.7 آ± 3.0 years were entered into the study. In the type 2 diabetic group, disordered ABR was found in at least one ear in 8% of cases and disordered OAE was recorded in at least one ear in 16% of cases, with no significant difference between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups. Mean age, duration of diabetes, serum HbA1c levels, and prevalence of female gender were higher in the diabetic group. Conclusion: According to our findings, the prevalence of ABR and OAE is not significantly different between type 2 diabetics and nondiabetics. é 2011 Jabbari Moghaddam, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.