Electroacoustic and Electrophysiological Evaluation in Patients with Type I Diabetes Mellitus

• Grant number: 22/07907-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Fernando Manzoni Lourencone
• Grantee: Carolina da Costa Silva Porto
• Host Institution: Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais (HRAC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease with global impact and multiple facets in terms of its comorbidities. Diabetic neuropathy, in turn, has received great attention in clinical and research settings, but studies have focused little on the character of neuropathy with consequent degeneration of the auditory system, although there is strong evidence of this association. However, there are currently no appropriate investigative mechanisms recommended for subclinical screening of this population, in order to prevent further hearing loss. It is understood that electroacoustic and electrophysiological evaluations are the most effective methods for early assessment of subclinical hearing impairment. Studies also reveal the need for further research, using more sensitive evaluation methods capable of detecting subclinical changes in the auditory system. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to compare the results of electroacoustic and electrophysiological evaluations of normal-hearing patients with type I diabetes at different times of disease diagnosis with a control group. The method will consist of a prospective study that will have 3 distinct groups with patients who do not have hearing complaints, from 7 years of age on, and who meet the inclusion demands according to the following groups: participants with up to 2 years of Type I Diabetes Diagnosis (GI), participants with more than 5 years of Type I Diabetes Diagnosis (GII), and the Control group (GIII). All groups will undergo electroacoustic evaluations (Transient Stimulus Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions) and electrophysiological evaluations (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential) in order to see if, in fact, it is possible to detect subclinical hearing loss in this population, giving rise to formulations of identification of patterns of earlier changes.