Association of Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c Level With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level has strong relevance to microvascular disorders, which are also thought to be the current main aspect of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), so we aim to elucidate the association of the HbA1c level with the severity, types, and prognosis of SSNHL. In this study, comparative analyses based on propensity score matching of the severity, types, and prognosis of SSNHL with the HbA1c level in 116 patients diagnosed as SSNHL were conducted, where they were divided into diabetes mellitus (DM) group and non-DM group. We finally found that, among patients with SSNHL, diabetic patients had a higher HbA1c level, more severe hearing loss, and poorer prognosis than non-diabetic patients. The HbA1c level was found to be significantly correlated with the severity and types of SSNHL, while no strong relevance was found between the higher HbA1c level and the poorer prognosis of SSNHL.

A Prospective Study on Post Covid Sudden Onset Sensory Neural Hearing Loss and Its Recovery

“…Among the various possible etiologies and pathogenesis, mainstream pathophysiological mechanisms for SSNHL attribute its occurrence to microvascular disorders. Microvascular damage as well as other microcirculatory disturbances involving sudden increases in blood viscosity, along with embolic and thrombotic episodes [ 13 ], such as within the labyrinthine artery, can interrupt the vascular supply to the cochlea, eventually causing cochlea dysfunction and resulting in SSNHL.Diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes the greatest risks to microvascular disorders.Literature shows that, among patients with SSNHL, diabetic patients had a higher HbA1c level, more severe hearing loss, poorer prognosis than non-diabetic patients [ 14 ].…”

Vulnerable frequency as an independent prognostic factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss

“…Baseline characteristics [age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BM)], clinical characteristics (audiogram, affected side, tinnitus, ear fullness, dizziness, treatment delay), and pure-tone average (PTA) of impaired frequencies ( 7 , 8 , 17 – 19 ). The maximum value of air conductance at each frequency measured by our equipment is 100 dB.…”

Diabetes Mellitus and Hearing Loss: A Complex Relationship

“…There is growing attention paid to the relationship between diabetes and inner ear structures. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] In particular, there is a wealth of evidence suggesting that hearing loss (HL) may be a disabling complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) [ 26 , 27 ]. The consequences of DM affecting the ear can include the ability to understand speech, the risk of falling, and the onset of tinnitus, with concerns ranging from a lowered quality of life to an increase in mortality.…”