Genetic predisposition, aging, and prolonged exposure to loud sound are all common factors that can contribute to hearing loss. However, you may find it interesting to discover the connection between diabetes and hearing impairment. Let us elaborate.
How is your risk of experiencing hearing loss raised by diabetes?
The prevalence of diabetes increases as you get older, and 37 million individuals, or 9% of the United States population, cope with this condition according to the CDC. And if you’re dealing with diabetes, you’re two times as likely to experience hearing loss. 133 million Americans are pre-diabetic and even they have a 30% higher risk of experiencing hearing loss than individuals whose blood sugar is normal.
Various body areas can be impacted by diabetes: kidneys, hands, feet, eyes, and even ears. High blood sugar levels can lead to the degeneration of small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ears. And on the other end of the spectrum, the transmission of nerve signals from the inner ear can be interrupted by low blood sugar. Both situations can worsen hearing loss.
The lack of diabetes control triggers chronic high blood pressure, causing 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 unnoticed if you aren’t actively paying attention. It’s not unusual for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Here are a few signs of hearing loss:
- Difficulty following phone conversations
- Feeling like people are mumbling when they speak
- Always needing to turn up the volume of your devices and TV
- Having a hard 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 somebody points out your hearing changes. After performing a hearing exam, we will establish a baseline for future visits and help you with any problems you might be having with balance.
If you have diabetes, be proactive
Getting an annual hearing test is important, and that’s especially true for somebody who has diabetes.
Maintain control of your blood sugar levels.
Avoid loud noises and protect your ears by wearing earplugs.