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

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 ± 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 HbA(1c) 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.