You may be acquainted with the various factors contributing to hearing loss, such as the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or prolonged exposure to loud sounds. 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 raise your risk of hearing loss?
The prevalence of diabetes increases as you get older, and 37 million individuals, or 9% of the United States population, cope with this condition according to the CDC. Hearing loss is two times as prevalent in individuals with diabetes in comparison to individuals who don’t have the condition. 133 million Americans are pre-diabetic and even they have a 30% increased risk of experiencing hearing loss than individuals whose blood sugar is normal.
Diabetes can result in nerve damage across various bodily regions, encompassing the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause the degeneration of small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ears. Conversely, low blood sugar levels can disrupt the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear to the brain. Worsened hearing loss can be the outcome of both scenarios.
The lack of diabetes management induces 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 gradually sneak up on you. It’s not uncommon for people around you to observe your hearing loss before you notice it.
Some suggestive signs of hearing loss include:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Trouble hearing on the phone
- Struggling in noisy restaurants
- Always having to turn up the volume of your devices and TV
- Feeling as if people are mumbling when they talk
It’s essential to contact us for a consultation if you experience any of these signs or if somebody points out your hearing changes. After carrying out a hearing screening, we will set up a baseline for future visits and help you with any issues you might be having with balance.
Be proactive if your managing diabetes
Getting a yearly hearing test is important, and that’s especially true for someone who has diabetes.
Maintain control of your blood sugar levels.
Make use of ear protection and steer clear of overly loud settings.