Study Reveals Type 2 Diabetes Patients Face Higher Hearing Loss Risk

As the United States marks American Diabetes Month this November, a significant study has emerged highlighting a troubling link between type 2 diabetes and hearing loss. Published in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the research indicates that individuals with type 2 diabetes are at a markedly increased risk of experiencing hearing impairment, a complication that often goes unnoticed and untreated.

The comprehensive study, which appears in the November 2025 issue, involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 17 studies, encompassing 3,910 individuals with diabetes and 4,084 control subjects. The results are alarming: the prevalence of hearing loss among those with type 2 diabetes ranges from 40.6% to 71.9%, with the risk of hearing loss being 4.19 times higher compared to individuals without diabetes.

Key Findings on Duration and Severity of Diabetes

Conducted by Miguel Caballero-Borrego, MD, PhD, and Ivan Andujar-Lara, MD, from Hospital Clínic and Universitat de Barcelona in Spain, the study found that hearing loss is primarily observed at higher frequencies. The mean pure-tone audiometric thresholds for the diabetic group were 3.19 dB higher than those of control subjects.

Notably, the duration of diabetes plays a crucial role in the risk of hearing impairment. The study revealed that patients diagnosed with diabetes for more than 10 years face a 2.07 times higher risk of hearing loss compared to those with a shorter history of the disease. Additionally, individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss exhibited higher mean HbA1c levels than controls, indicating a correlation between poor glucose control and increased severity of hearing impairment.

The research concluded that the gender of diabetic patients does not significantly affect the prevalence of hearing loss, suggesting that the underlying physiological changes associated with diabetes are the primary factors at play.

Implications for Diabetes Care

The findings underscore the importance of integrating hearing assessments into comprehensive diabetes care. With millions of Americans affected by diabetes and prevalence rates continuing to rise, this research highlights hearing loss as a potential early indicator of microvascular disease. Early detection could prompt timely interventions that may prevent further complications associated with both diabetes and hearing impairment.

American Diabetes Month, observed annually in November, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with diabetes. As this study illustrates, hearing health should be prioritized in the ongoing dialogue about diabetes management.

The complete study, titled “Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hearing Loss: A Prisma Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” can be accessed in the November 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery for those seeking more in-depth information on this important health issue.