Cochlear histopathologic analysis in diabetic rats.

Hypothesis: This study aimed to show whether sensorineural hearing loss in diabetes mellitus is secondary to changes in the organ of Corti and stria vascularis.

Background: The high rate of sensorineural hearing loss in diabetes mellitus has led to much speculation as to whether there is an association between the two.

Methods: A well-established diabetic animal model was used to examine the inner ear histopathologically.

Results: No statistical difference in the inner and outer hair cells or in the stria vascularis was shown between the genetic-diabetic rats and control subjects.

Conclusions: If there is hearing loss with diabetes, its pathogenesis does not involve damage to the hair cells or stria vascularis.