Health
Some hearing loss tied to diabetes
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 7, 2008
Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes, according to a study in the July Annals of Internal Medicine. The study was published online June 17.
The researchers discovered the higher rate of loss after analyzing the results of hearing tests given to a nationally representative sample of 5,140 adults ages 20 to 69. Hearing loss in diabetics was evident across all frequencies -- low, middle and high. Researchers were unable to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
They suggested that people with diabetes consider having their hearing tested. "Our study found a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes using a number of different outcomes," said author Catherine Cowie, PhD, MPH, director of the diabetes epidemiology program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/07/07/hlbf0707.htm.