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Sudden hearing loss as a first complication of long‐standing Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a case report
Author(s) -
Gawron W.,
Pospiech L.,
Noczynska A.,
Koziorowska E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.01067.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tinnitus , hearing loss , complication , diabetes mellitus , etiology , type 1 diabetes , sensorineural hearing loss , pathophysiology , type 2 diabetes , type 2 diabetes mellitus , sudden hearing loss , pediatrics , surgery , audiology , endocrinology
The term ‘sudden hypoacusis’ describes a hearing loss of a rapid onset and unknown origin that can progress to severe deafness. Its pathophysiology is still unknown, the proposed aetiological mechanisms being vascular disease or autoimmune reaction. We present the case of a 19‐year‐old woman with Type 1 diabetes mellitus who experienced sudden hearing loss on her right side. She had no complications related to diabetes. After being referred to the hospital she was diagnosed with sudden sensorineural right‐sided hearing loss accompanied by high frequency tinnitus. After administration of vasoactive drugs, there was partial improvement after 7 days, followed by gradual improvement over the next 4 weeks to 5 months. The tinnitus did not disappear completely. We conclude that hearing organ disturbances can be present in Type 1 diabetes and represent an early complication.