You may be acquainted with the various factors contributing to hearing loss, including the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, you may find it interesting to discover 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 people without 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, including the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. The degeneration 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. Worsened hearing loss can be the outcome of both scenarios.
The lack of diabetes control causes chronic 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 often happens gradually and can go unnoticed if you aren’t actively paying attention. It’s not unusual for people around you to notice your hearing loss before you notice it.
Here are a few signs of hearing loss:
- Constantly needing people to repeat what they said
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
- Keeping the TV volume really loud
- Struggling in loud restaurants
- Perceiving others as mumbling
If you encounter any of these difficulties or if somebody points out changes in your hearing, it’s worthwhile to consult with us. We will carry out a hearing test that will establish a baseline for future assessments and also address any balance-related challenges.
Be proactive if your navigating diabetes
Getting an annual hearing test is important, and that’s particularly 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.