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Investigation of Auditory Brainstem Function in Elderly Diabetic Patients with Presbycusis

We performed brainstem auditory evoked potential (BEAP) examinations in 100 patients older than 60 years and having type I diabetes mellitus and presbycusis. The aim of investigation was to compare the BEAP results of this group with those of healthy controls with presbycusis and to look for possible correlations between alteration of the auditory brainstem function and the aging of elderly diabetic patients. Absolute and interpeak latencies of all waves were prolonged significantly in the study group of diabetic patients. The amlitude of all waves I through V were diminished in the study group as compared to those in the control group, with statistical significance present for all waves. Analysis of the latencies (waves I, II, III and V), interpeak latencies (I-V), and amplitudes (I, II and V) of BEAP revealed a significant difference between those of diabetics and those of healthy elderly controls with presbycusis. These data support a hypothesis that there is a brainstem neuropathy in diabete mellitus that can be assessed with auditory brainstem response testing even in the group of elderly patients with sensorineural hearing loss.

brainstem auditory evoked potentials; diabetes mellitus; presbycusis

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