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Insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction tied to mild hearing impairment in prediabetes

Issue: April 2016

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Korean adults with impaired fasting glucose were more likely to have low- to mid-frequency hearing impairment vs. adults with normal glycemia, and men with impaired fasting glucose were more likely to have high-frequency mild hearing impairment, according to recent findings.

In a cross-sectional study, Minchul Seo, of the Medical Institute of Dongguk University in Gyeongju, South Korea, and colleagues analyzed data from 4,085 adults without diabetes who completed the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination surveys in 2010, consisting of a health interview, health examination (including audiometric tests) and nutrition survey. Adults with exposure to occupational or environmental loud noise were excluded. Researchers measured homeostasis model assessments of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function. Within the cohort, 770 (18.8%) had IFG (51.8% men; mean age, 54 years).

Researchers found that participants with IFG were more likely to have low-frequency hearing impairment compared with adults with normal glycemia (42.2% vs. 24.5%); results were similar for mid-frequency hearing impairment (14.7% vs. 7.8%). In men younger than 70 years, high-frequency hearing impairment was greater in those with IFG vs. those with normal glycemia, researchers wrote.

In multiple logistic regression analyses, researchers found that IFG, higher HOMA-IR and lower HOMA-beta remained as independent risk factors for high-frequency mild hearing impairment in men younger than 70 years (OR for IFG = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.06-1.97; OR for HOMA-IR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.04-2.1; OR for HOMA-beta = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27-0.73).

“Even before diabetes, the risk for hearing impairment increased, particularly in males with IFG, increased [insulin resistance] and decreased beta-cell function,” the researchers wrote. “Therefore, we suggest that screening for hearing impairment should be warranted in such a population for the preservation of quality of life.” – by Regina Schaffer

• Reference:
• Seo M, et al. Diabet Med. 2016;doi:10.1111/dme.13096.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.