The incidence of hyperinsulinemia in patients with tinnitus and the effect of a diabetic diet on tinnitus

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence of hyperinsulinemia in patients presenting with tinnitus and evaluated the effect of diabetic diet on tinnitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum insulin levels were measured and oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 52 patients (26 males, 26 females; mean age 50 years; range 20 to 80 years) with idiopathic tinnitus. Those with hyperinsulinemia were given a diabetic diet for four months. A questionnaire was administered to all the patients and the complaint of tinnitus was assessed according to a rating scale before and after treatment. The results were compared with those of 15 age-and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: Hyperinsulinemia was detected in 76% and 27% of the patients and the controls, respectively (p<0.05). Oral glucose tolerance test was normal in 48% of the patients, and in 80% of the controls (p<0.05). Following a diabetic diet, the severity of tinnitus complaints significantly decreased in patients with hyperinsulinemia (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Hyperinsulinemia may play an etiologic role in tinnitus and a diabetic diet may result in significant improvement in tinnitus complaints in this population.