Association between self-reported hearing impairment and influences in diabetic patients in Kirkuk, Iraq

This study was conducted to determine self-reported hearing impairment and influencing factors in diabetic patients in Kirkuk, Iraq. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 104 patients with diabetes mellitus who applied to health centers in Kirkuk city center (Azadi Training Hospital, Keyvan General Hospital, and Al￾Iskan Health Center) in Iraq between 20 March 2022 and 20 May 2022. Data were collected with a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA). Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons in the data analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis evaluated the correlation between the scale score and other variables, and the model was developed with linear regression analysis. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. When the distribution of the total score obtained from the hearing impairment scale for adults, which is used to measure the self-reported hearing impairment level of the patients, was examined, it was observed that 31.7% of the patients had no hearing problems, 51.9% had mild-to-moderate hearing problems, and 16.4% had a severe hearing impairment. A weak and significant positive correlation was found between the duration of diabetes diagnosis and the scale score (r=0.255; p=0.009). Scale scores were statistically more significant in those receiving insulin treatment. (p=0.011). We determined that diabetes influences the level of self-reported hearing impairment. There is a need to examine self-reported hearing impairment and responsible factors in new studies regarding diabetes patients.