Recently our Australian group leader shared an article she had written for Insight. Dr. Mehwish Nisar, a research fellow at the Centre for Hearing Research (CHEAR) connected to The University of Queensland, wrote an article titled Diabetes and hearing loss: Referral guidance for optometrists posted February 23, 2026....
✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦
No actionable change for audiologists; this piece broadens referral awareness among optometrists, not audiology practice protocols.
✦ Why It Matters ✦
Cross-specialty referral guidance for diabetes-related hearing loss could increase the pipeline of patients reaching audiologists from eye-care settings.
✦ Key Points ✦
- 01Dr. Mehwish Nisar (Univ. of Queensland CHEAR) authored the piece in the Australian journal Insight.
- 02Target audience is optometrists, not audiologists, making it an inter-disciplinary referral resource.
- 03Focuses on diabetes-related hearing loss as a reason for audiology referral.
- 04Highlights the overlap between vision and hearing complications of diabetes.
- 05Part of The Audiology Project's broader campaign linking diabetes and sensory health.
✦ Claims & Evidence ✦
ClaimEvidenceSupport
Patients with diabetes are at elevated risk for hearing loss and should be referred to audiology from eye-care settings.
opinionpartially supported