Clinical Research Directory

Screening and Characterization of Hearing Disorders in Diabetic Persons

Diabetes is now the most common chronic disease, affecting nearly 6% of the population in Western populations. Diabetic neuropathy is a priori the most common and the most common specific complications of diabetes. It can of course touch the lower limbs, the vegetative nervous system as well as the cranial nerves. However, the association between hearing impairment and diabetes has always been controversial on the basis of conflicting literature data. Are auditory disorders an underestimated complication of diabetes? A meta-analysis made in 2013, examined the scientific literature between 1950 and 2011 and of the 3158 citations, only 13 articles were selected. This study found that hearing impairment in diabetic patients was 2.1 times more prevalent than in non-diabetic matched subjects. In addition, the age / aging factor is associated with the prevalence of hearing loss and diabetes. However, it also appears that the link between diabetes and hearing impairment is more pronounced among young people than older people. In order to document the influence of diabetic pathology on hearing, Investigator have set up a search audiological exploration platform within the department of Endocrinology-Diabetology of Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital. It will be proposed a hearing screening (duration 30 minutes) and a questionnaire to diabetic patients of the service. In the context of a positive screening, that is to say that one of the tests carried out reveals the presence of a hearing disorder, an in-depth assessment of the hearing will be carried out to better characterize the origin of the auditory disturbance (duration 60-90 minutes). These different tests are based on the listening of sounds requiring or not the participation of patient. Thus, the results of the various tests will make it possible to classify the impairment of hearing in (1) peripheral impairment (dysfunction of certain cells of your ear involved in the amplification of sounds), and / or (2) in neural damage (dysfunction of your auditory nerve).

Loss of Balance Experienced by Industrial Workers Due to Hearing Problems

This study will investigate the balance performance and balance-related activities of daily living in 35 industrial workers with hearing problems exposed to occupational noise, using the Berg Balance Scale and the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale. The research aims to determine whether there is a statistically significant association between hearing problems, balance performance, and daily noise exposure duration. It is hypothesized that while hearing problems related to occupational noise exposure may exist, they may not be directly associated with clinically significant balance impairment, potentially remaining at a tolerable level in daily life. Furthermore, the correlation between Berg Balance Scale and daily living activity scores will be evaluated to understand the functional impact of balance on these workers.