Genetic predisposition, aging, and prolonged exposure to loud sound are all familiar factors that can contribute to hearing loss. However, you might find it intriguing to understand the connection between diabetes and hearing loss. Let’s dig a little deeper into that.
How is your risk of experiencing hearing loss raised by diabetes?
The prevalence of diabetes increases as you get older, and 37 million people, or 9% of the United States population, have this condition according to the CDC. Hearing loss is twice as prevalent in individuals with diabetes in comparison to individuals who don’t have the condition. Even in pre-diabetics, constituting 133 million Americans, the degree of hearing loss is 30% higher than in people 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 increased by elevated 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 control induces persistent high blood pressure, leading to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
You might have hearing loss if you detect any of these signs
Hearing loss frequently happens slowly and can go undetected if you aren’t actively paying attention. In many cases, friends and colleagues might notice the issue before you identify it.
Some indicative signs of hearing loss include:
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Keeping the TV volume at a high level
- Trouble following phone conversations
- Struggling in loud restaurants
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
If you notice any of these difficulties or if somebody points out changes in your hearing, it’s essential to consult with us. We will perform a hearing exam that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also address any balance-related challenges.
Be proactive if you have diabetes
We encourage anybody with diabetes to get an annual hearing test.
Maintain your blood sugar levels within the desired range.
Avoid loud noises and safeguard your ears by using earplugs.
