title: Audiometric configuration as a reflection of diabetes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not a rising, progressively improving (RPI) sensorineural hearing loss from lower toward higher frequencies might be related to or serve as an indicator or predictor of diabetes. Forty-five subjects between the ages of 21 and 79, demonstrating a RPI audiometric pattern, were considered for a 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Based on the National Diabetes Data Group standard, results showed that diabetes mellitus appeared in seven subjects; five subjects had impaired glucose tolerance; and nine subjects had mild but nondiagnostic glucose intolerance. Relatively normal glucose values were demonstrated by 53% of subjects. There may be some value in an RPI audiometric pattern as an indicator or early detection sign for diabetes, but further research is necessary before such conclusions can be drawn.
authors.affiliation: Audiology and Speech Pathology Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Sepulveda, California.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Carmen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Svihovec
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Gocka
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ermshar
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Gay
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Vanore
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: House
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose