You may be familiar with the numerous aspects contributing to hearing loss, like the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, you might find it intriguing to understand the link between diabetes and hearing impairment. Let us elaborate.
How is your risk of experiencing hearing loss increased by diabetes?
As per the CDC, 9% or 37 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes, and this prevalence rises with age. Hearing loss is twice as prevalent in people 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 people with normal blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can result in nerve damage across various bodily regions, encompassing the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. The deterioration of the small blood vessels inside of your ears can be accelerated by elevated blood sugar levels. And on the other end of the spectrum, the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear can be interrupted by low blood sugar. Worsened hearing loss can be the result of both scenarios.
Damage to the kidneys, heart, nerves, eyes, and blood vessels can be caused by chronic high blood pressure due to uncontrolled diabetes.
You may have hearing loss if you detect any of these signs
Hearing loss frequently develops gradually and can go unnoticed if you aren’t actively paying attention. It’s not uncommon for people close to you to observe your hearing loss before you notice it.
Some suggestive signs of hearing loss include:
- Regularly needing people to repeat what they said
- Feeling as if people are mumbling when they talk
- Trouble hearing on the phone
- Struggling in noisy establishments
- Keeping the TV volume really loud
If you experience any of these challenges or if someone points out changes in your hearing, it’s worthwhile to consult with us. We will perform a hearing test that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also deal with any balance-related challenges.
Be proactive if your navigating diabetes
We encourage anyone who has diabetes to get a yearly hearing test.
Keep control of your blood sugar levels.
Make use of ear protection and steer clear of overly loud situations.