Impairment of Auditory Function in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Depending on the Level of Peripheral Myelin Protein

The study investigated the relationship between peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP 22) levels and auditory function in 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hearing impairment. The results showed a significant increase in PMP 22 levels in patients with type 2 DM and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), particularly in those with microangiopathies, compared to controls and those without diabetes. This suggests that demyelinating processes in neural structures contribute to hearing loss in these patients. Early detection of these processes is crucial for preventing further neuronal damage.