You may be acquainted with the various aspects contributing to hearing loss, including the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, you may find it interesting to discover the link between diabetes and hearing loss. Allow us to elaborate.
How is your risk of experiencing hearing loss increased by diabetes?
As per the CDC, 9% or 37 million individuals in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes, and this prevalence rises with age. Hearing loss is two times as prevalent in people with diabetes compared to those who don’t have 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 regions, encompassing the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to the deterioration of small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ears. And on the other end of the spectrum, the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear can be disrupted by low blood sugar. Both scenarios can worsen hearing loss.
The lack of diabetes control causes persistent high blood pressure, leading to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
Signs you might have hearing loss
If you aren’t actively monitoring the condition of your hearing, hearing loss can gradually sneak up on you. It’s not unusual for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Here are a few signs of hearing loss:
- Keeping the TV volume at a high level
- Having a tough time hearing in loud places
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Regularly needing people to repeat what they said
- Trouble following phone conversations
If you experience any of these difficulties or if somebody points out changes in your hearing, it’s essential to consult with us. We will conduct a hearing exam that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also address any balance-related concerns.
If you have diabetes, be proactive
We encourage all individuals who has diabetes to get a yearly hearing test.
Keep control of your blood sugar levels.
Steer clear of loud noises and safeguard your ears by wearing earplugs.