You may be acquainted with the various factors contributing to hearing loss, like the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or extended exposure to loud noises. However, you may find it intriguing to understand the link between diabetes and hearing impairment. Let us elaborate.
How does diabetes increase your risk of hearing loss?
As per the CDC, 9% or 37 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes, and this prevalence increases with age. And if you have diabetes, you’re two times as likely to experience hearing loss. 133 million Americans are pre-diabetic and even they have a 30% higher risk of experiencing hearing loss than individuals whose blood sugar is normal.
A variety of body areas can be impacted by diabetes: kidneys, hands, feet, eyes, and even 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. Both situations can worsen hearing loss.
Damage to the kidneys, heart, nerves, eyes, and blood vessels can be caused by chronic high blood pressure due to unchecked diabetes.
You may have hearing loss if you notice any of these signs
If you aren’t actively monitoring the state of your hearing, hearing loss can slowly sneak up on you. It’s not unusual for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Some suggestive signs of hearing loss include:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Struggling in loud establishments
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Always having to crank the volume up on your devices and TV
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
It’s important to call us for a consultation if you experience any of these signs or if somebody points out your hearing changes. We will conduct a hearing exam that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also deal with any balance-related challenges.
If you have diabetes, be proactive
We encourage anybody who has diabetes to get an annual hearing test.
Keep your blood sugar levels within the desired range.
Make use of ear protection and avoid overly loud situations.