Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread metabolic disorder known to affect various organ systems. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between diabetes and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This study aims to comprehensively investigate the relationship between diabetes and SNHL while considering demographic and clinical variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on N=310 patients with diabetes, aged 18-40 years, recruited from Bahawal Victoria and Bahawalpur General Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, from September 2022 to March 2023. Various demographic and clinical factors, including diabetes control, duration, associated diseases, complications, and family history, were assessed. Audiological evaluations were performed, and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors of SNHL. Results: Age and diabetes duration emerged as significant predictors of SNHL, with increasing age and longer diabetes duration associated with higher SNHL risk. Additionally, the presence of retinopathy exhibited a significant association with SNHL. Other variables, including gender, medication, nephropathy, smoking, and family history of hearing loss, did not independently influence SNHL. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of age and diabetes duration in the development of SNHL in individuals with diabetes. The presence of retinopathy was also significantly associated with SNHL, highlighting potential interconnections between ocular and auditory complications in diabetes. While diabetes control did not independently predict SNHL, these findings emphasize the multifaceted nature of the relationship between diabetes and hearing health. Further research, including longitudinal studies and investigations into biological mechanisms, is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between diabetes and SNHL and to guide tailored interventions for at-risk individuals

Keyword: Diabetes, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Audiological Evaluation, Diabetes Control, cross-sectional study