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Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the functional properties of the cochlea in subjects with type 1 (insulin‐dependent) diabetes mellitus. Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) were measured in 21 normally hearing, well controlled, type 1 diabetic patients aged 23–42 years (mean 31.6 years) and in an age‐ and sex‐matched healthy, non‐diabetic, normally hearing control subjects. Mean TEOAE amplitude was found to be significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in the diabetic patients (mean 9.0 ± 1.7 dB SPL) compared with those of the control group (mean 13.1 ± 2.74 dB SPL). It was also found that the most significant reduction (p = 0.001) in the response was in the group of patients with diabetic microangiopathy (mean 7.3 ± 0.78 dB SPL) but those who had diabetic neuropathy exhibited similar reduction in the TEOAE response (mean 9.9 ± 0.93 dB SPL) to the group of patients with uncomplicated diabetes (p = 0.8). These early changes are mild and sub‐clinical and can only be detected by TEOAEs. We conclude from this study that TEOAE testing provides a simple, quick and non‐invasive method for the assessment of the cochlear receptor in the diabetic patient. Further longitudinal studies are suggested to establish such a progressive relationship.