Association between diabetes mellitus and tinnitus

Introduction

Tinnitus—the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds in the ears—is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Approximately 10–15% of adults experience chronic tinnitus, with prevalence increasing with age, affecting up to 30% of older adults. While some individuals experience mild symptoms, for others, tinnitus can significantly interfere with daily life, disrupting sleep, concentration, and emotional well-being, and increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. Given its impact on quality of life, identifying the factors that contribute to tinnitus is essential for improving prevention and treatment strategies.

Tinnitus has multiple potential causes. Well-established risk factors include hearing loss, long-term exposure to loud noise, ototoxic medications, head or neck injuries, and high stress levels. Emerging research also points to broader health-related contributors, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. One area gaining interest is the potential link between tinnitus and diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose, leading to long-term complications involving blood vessels and nerves. Researchers have proposed that diabetes-related issues—such as poor circulation, nerve damage, and chronic inflammation—may also impact auditory function and contribute to tinnitus. However, existing studies on this connection have shown mixed results. To clarify the relationship, a team of researchers conducted a meta-analysis, combining data from multiple studies to assess whether diabetes is associated with an increased risk of tinnitus.

Key Findings from the Meta-Analysis

A large-scale meta-analysis conducted by Luo et al. reviewed 12 studies involving a combined total of 2.27 million participants. The analysis found that:

• People with diabetes were 18% more likely to experience tinnitus compared to those without diabetes.
  
• The association remained significant even after adjusting for differences in study quality and methodology.
  
• Factors such as geographic location, age, gender, and diagnostic methods did not substantially alter the results.
  

These findings suggest a consistent and measurable link between diabetes and tinnitus, supporting the need for continued investigation into shared biological mechanisms and potential intervention strategies.

How Might Diabetes Lead to Tinnitus?

While this study does not establish a direct causal relationship between diabetes and tinnitus, several biological mechanisms may explain the observed connection:

• Reduced blood flow: High blood sugar can damage small blood vessels, potentially impairing circulation to the inner ear.
  
• Inflammation and oxidative stress: Diabetes is associated with increased inflammation and cellular stress, which may harm auditory structures.
  
• Nerve damage: Diabetic neuropathy may affect nerves involved in hearing, possibly leading to abnormal sound perception.
  
• Metabolic disruption: Imbalances in glucose and insulin may interfere with auditory processing in the brain and inner ear.
  

These potential pathways suggest that effective diabetes management may play a role in lowering tinnitus risk. However, more research is needed to determine whether improved glycemic control can prevent or alleviate tinnitus symptoms.

What This Means for Patients and Healthcare Providers

The results of this study carry meaningful implications for clinical practice and patient education:

• Early hearing assessments: Individuals with diabetes may benefit from regular hearing screenings to detect tinnitus or hearing impairment early.
  
• Diabetes management: Controlling blood sugar levels may help reduce the risk or severity of tinnitus symptoms.
  
• Increased awareness: Patients with diabetes should be informed of the possible association with tinnitus and encouraged to report auditory symptoms to their healthcare providers.
  

Limitations and Future Research

While the findings offer valuable insights, several limitations should be acknowledged:

• All included studies were observational in nature, meaning they cannot establish direct causality.
  
• Differences in diagnostic criteria for tinnitus and diabetes across studies may have affected the results.
  
• Other confounding factors—such as medication use, lifestyle behaviors, and coexisting conditions—may also contribute to the observed link.
  

Future research should focus on long-term, prospective studies to better understand the connection between diabetes and tinnitus. Investigating whether interventions targeting diabetes management can reduce tinnitus incidence or severity could open new avenues for treatment.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis indicates that individuals with diabetes are approximately 18% more likely to experience tinnitus. Although the exact mechanisms remain to be fully understood, possible contributors include impaired circulation, inflammation, nerve damage, and metabolic changes. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring auditory symptoms in diabetic patients and support the integration of hearing health into chronic disease management.

For clinicians and researchers, the study adds to growing evidence that metabolic conditions like diabetes can affect hearing. As our understanding of the diabetes–tinnitus connection deepens, routine hearing evaluations may become a valuable component of comprehensive diabetes care.

More information:

Shi Luo et al, Association between diabetes mellitus and tinnitus: A meta-analysis. Biomol Biomed [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 20 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];

Available from: https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2024.11634

Journal information: Biomolecules and Biomedicine

Provided by: Association of Basic Medical Sciences of FBIH

More information:
Shi Luo et al, Association between diabetes mellitus and tinnitus: A meta-analysis, Biomolecules and Biomedicine (2025). DOI: 10.17305/bb.2024.11634

Provided by Association of Basic Medical Sciences of FBIH