Hearing Loss in Adults With Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Diabetes impairs hearing through microvascular damage and neuropathy, yet the prevalence of moderate-to-severe hearing loss (≥ 40 dB HL) remains inadequately explored. Variations by age, diabetes duration, and socioeconomic factors are inadequately characterised....

Audiologists should consider routine hearing screening for adult patients with known diabetes or prediabetes, as this meta-analysis provides strong epidemiological evidence linking both conditions to increased prevalence and severity of hearing loss.

With diabetes affecting hundreds of millions globally, confirming and quantifying its association with hearing loss at the meta-analytic level strengthens the case for integrating hearing screening into routine diabetic care pathways.

1. 01Systematic review and meta-analysis confirms elevated prevalence and severity of hearing loss in adults with diabetes and prediabetes.
2. 02Proposed mechanisms include microvascular damage (injury to tiny blood vessels) and neuropathy (nerve damage) affecting the inner ear.
3. 03Both diabetes and prediabetes were associated with hearing impairment, suggesting risk begins before full diabetes onset.
4. 04Published in Diabetes Metab Res Rev; findings consolidate a large body of prior observational evidence.
5. 05Results support advocating for hearing screening as a component of diabetes management and monitoring.

PMID

42334075

DOI

10.1002/dmrr.70195.

Journal

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews

Publication type

meta_analysis

Evidence level

1a

Population

Adults with diabetes and prediabetes

Intervention

Presence of diabetes or prediabetes

Comparator

Adults without diabetes