Genetic predisposition, aging, and prolonged exposure to loud noise are all familiar factors that can contribute to hearing loss. However, you may find it intriguing to understand the connection between diabetes and hearing loss. Let’s dig a little 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 rises with age. And if you have diabetes, you’re twice as likely to experience hearing loss. 133 million Americans are pre-diabetic and even they have a 30% increased risk of developing hearing loss than people whose blood sugar is normal.
Diabetes can result in nerve damage across a variety of bodily regions, including the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. The degeneration of the small blood vessels inside of your ears can be increased by high blood sugar levels. And on the other end of the spectrum, the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear can be disrupted by low blood sugar. Worsened hearing loss can be the result of both situations.
The lack of diabetes control causes persistent high blood pressure, leading to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
You may have hearing loss if you notice any of these signs
Hearing loss often happens gradually and can go unnoticed if you’re not actively paying attention. It’s not unusual for people around you to notice your hearing loss before you notice it.
Some indicative signs of hearing loss include:
- Trouble hearing on the phone
- Struggling in noisy restaurants
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Regularly needing people to repeat what they said
- Always having to turn the volume up on your devices and TV
It’s important to call us for a consultation if you observe any of these signs or if someone points out your hearing changes. After doing a hearing screening, we will set up a baseline for future visits and help you with any problems you might be having with balance.
Be proactive if you have diabetes
We encourage anybody with diabetes to get a yearly hearing test.
Keep control of your blood sugar levels.
Steer clear of loud noises and shield your ears by using earplugs.