You may be familiar with the various factors contributing to hearing loss, such as the impact of aging, genetic predisposition within families, or extended exposure to loud sounds. But the link between hearing loss and diabetes isn’t as widely known. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into that.
How does diabetes raise your risk of hearing loss?
As per the CDC, 9% or 37 million individuals in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes, and this prevalence increases with age. And if you’re dealing with diabetes, you’re two times as likely to develop hearing loss. 133 million Americans are pre-diabetic and even they have a 30% higher risk of developing hearing loss than people whose blood sugar is normal.
A variety of body regions 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 increased by elevated blood sugar levels. In contrast, low blood sugar levels can interrupt 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 control triggers persistent 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 occurs slowly and can go unnoticed if you’re not actively paying attention. It’s not unusual for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you notice it.
Some indicative signs of hearing loss include:
- Trouble following phone conversations
- Having a hard time hearing in noisy places
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Always having to crank the volume up on your devices and TV
If you notice any of these challenges or if somebody points out changes in your hearing, it’s essential to consult with us. After carrying out a hearing examination, we will set up 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 an annual hearing test.
Maintain control of your blood sugar levels.
Utilize ear protection and steer clear of overly loud settings.