[The incidence of hyperinsulinemia in patients with tinnitus and the effect of a diabetic diet on tinnitus].

OBJECTIVES We investigated the incidence of hyperinsulinemia in patients presenting with tinnitus and evaluated the effect of diabetic diet on tinnitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum insulin levels were measured and oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 52 patients (26 males, 26 females; mean age 50 years; range 20 to 80 years) with idiopathic tinnitus. Those with hyperinsulinemia were given a diabetic diet for four months. A questionnaire was administered to all the patients and the complaint of tinnitus was assessed according to a rating scale before and after treatment. The results were compared with those of 15 age-and sex-matched controls. RESULTS Hyperinsulinemia was detected in 76% and 27% of the patients and the controls, respectively (p<0.05). Oral glucose tolerance test was normal in 48% of the patients, and in 80% of the controls (p<0.05). Following a diabetic diet, the severity of tinnitus complaints significantly decreased in patients with hyperinsulinemia (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Hyperinsulinemia may play an etiologic role in tinnitus and a diabetic diet may result in significant improvement in tinnitus complaints in this population.