Genetic predisposition, aging, and extended exposure to loud sound are all familiar factors that can contribute to hearing loss. However, you might find it intriguing to discover the link between diabetes and hearing impairment. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into that.
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 rises with age. Hearing loss is two times as prevalent in individuals with diabetes compared to people who don’t have the condition. Even in pre-diabetics, constituting 133 million Americans, the degree of hearing loss is 30% higher than in individuals with normal blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can result in nerve damage across various bodily regions, encompassing the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. High blood sugar levels can lead to the degeneration of small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ears. In contrast, low blood sugar levels can disrupt the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear to the brain. Worsened hearing loss can be the result of both situations.
The lack of diabetes management induces chronic high blood pressure, causing damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
You might have hearing loss if you notice any of these signs
Hearing loss frequently happens gradually and can go unnoticed if you aren’t actively paying attention. It’s not unusual for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you notice it.
Here are a few signs of hearing loss:
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Having a difficult time hearing in loud places
- Keeping the TV volume really loud
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
It’s essential to contact us for a consultation if you notice any of these signs or if somebody points out your hearing changes. We will conduct a hearing examination that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also deal with any balance-related challenges.
If you have diabetes, be proactive
Getting a yearly hearing exam is important, and that’s especially true for someone who has diabetes.
Keep control of your blood sugar levels.
Steer clear of loud noises and safeguard your ears by wearing earplugs.