Genetic predisposition, aging, and prolonged exposure to loud sound are all common factors that can contribute to hearing loss. But the link between hearing loss and diabetes is not as well 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 people 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. Even in pre-diabetics, constituting 133 million Americans, the degree of hearing loss is 30% higher than in people with normal blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage across a variety of bodily areas, encompassing the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. The deterioration of the small blood vessels inside of your ears can be increased by high blood sugar levels. In contrast, low blood sugar levels can disrupt the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear to the brain. Both situations can contribute to hearing loss.
Damage to the kidneys, heart, nerves, eyes, and blood vessels can be caused by persistent high blood pressure due to unchecked diabetes.
Signs you might be dealing with hearing loss
Hearing loss frequently develops slowly and can go undetected if you aren’t actively paying attention. In many cases, friends and co-workers may notice the issue before you identify it.
Here are a few signs of hearing loss:
- Always having to crank the volume up on your devices and TV
- Difficulty following phone conversations
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Having a tough time hearing in noisy places
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
It’s essential to contact us for a consultation if you experience any of these signs or if someone points out your hearing changes. We will perform a hearing exam that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also deal with any balance-related challenges.
Be proactive if your navigating diabetes
We encourage all individuals who has diabetes to get a yearly hearing test.
Keep your blood sugar levels within the desired range.
Steer clear of loud noises and safeguard your ears by wearing earplugs.