You may be acquainted with the numerous factors contributing to hearing loss, including the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, you might find it intriguing to discover the connection between diabetes and hearing loss. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into that.
How is your risk of developing hearing loss raised 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. And if you have diabetes, you’re two times as likely to experience hearing loss. Even in pre-diabetics, constituting 133 million Americans, the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher than in individuals with normal blood sugar levels.
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 high blood sugar levels. Conversely, low blood sugar levels can disrupt the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear to the brain. Both situations can worsen hearing loss.
The lack of diabetes management triggers chronic 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 slowly sneak up on you. It’s not uncommon for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you notice it.
Here are a few signs of hearing loss:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
- Struggling in loud restaurants
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Always needing to crank the volume up on your devices and TV
If you encounter any of these challenges or if someone points out changes in your hearing, it’s important to consult with us. After carrying out a hearing test, we will establish a baseline for future visits and help you with any issues you might be having with balance.
If you have diabetes, be proactive
We encourage anybody who has diabetes to get a yearly hearing check.
Keep control of your blood sugar levels.
Steer clear of loud noises and shield your ears by using earplugs.