You might be acquainted with the various factors contributing to hearing loss, including the impact of aging, genetic predisposition within families, or extended exposure to loud noises. But the connection between hearing loss and diabetes is not as well known. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into that.
How does diabetes raise your risk of hearing loss?
The prevalence of diabetes increases as you get older, and 37 million individuals, or 9% of the United States population, cope with this condition according to the CDC. Hearing loss is two times as prevalent in individuals with diabetes compared to those without the condition. Even in pre-diabetics, constituting 133 million Americans, the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher than in individuals with normal blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage across various bodily areas, including the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. The deterioration of the small blood vessels inside of your ears can be increased by elevated blood sugar levels. And on the other end of the spectrum, the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear can be disrupted by low blood sugar. Worsened hearing loss can be the result of both scenarios.
The lack of diabetes management triggers persistent high blood pressure, leading to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
Signs you might have hearing loss
If you’re not actively monitoring the state of your hearing, hearing loss can slowly sneak up on you. In many instances, friends and colleagues might observe the issue before you identify it.
Some suggestive signs of hearing loss include:
- Trouble following phone conversations
- Feeling like people are mumbling when they speak
- Having a hard time hearing in loud places
- Always having to crank up the volume of your devices and TV
- Regularly needing people to repeat what they said
It’s essential to contact us for a consultation if you notice any of these signs or if someone points out your hearing changes. We will conduct a hearing examination that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also address any balance-related challenges.
Be proactive if you have diabetes
Getting a yearly hearing test is important, and that’s especially true for somebody with diabetes.
Keep your blood sugar levels within the desired range.
Avoid loud noises and safeguard your ears by using earplugs.