You might be acquainted with the various factors contributing to hearing loss, including the impact of getting older, genetic predisposition within families, or extended exposure to loud noises. However, you may find it intriguing to discover the link between diabetes and hearing loss. Let’s dig a little bit 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 individuals, or 9% of the United States population, have this condition according to the CDC. And if you’re dealing with diabetes, you’re two times as likely to experience hearing loss. Even in pre-diabetics, constituting 133 million Americans, the degree of hearing loss is 30% higher than in individuals with normal blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can result in nerve damage across a variety of bodily regions, encompassing the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. The degeneration of the small blood vessels inside of your ears can be accelerated 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 chronic high blood pressure, leading to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
You may have hearing loss if you detect any of these signs
Hearing loss often occurs gradually and can go unnoticed if you’re not actively paying attention. It’s not unusual for people close to you to notice your hearing loss before you become aware of it.
Some suggestive signs of hearing loss include:
- Struggling in loud establishments
- Always needing to turn up the volume of your devices and TV
- Perceiving others as mumbling
- Regularly needing people to repeat what they said
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
It’s important to call us for a consultation if you notice any of these signs or if someone points out your hearing changes. After carrying out a hearing test, we will establish a baseline for future visits and help you with any issues you might be having with balance.
If you have diabetes, be proactive
Getting an annual hearing test is important, and that’s particularly true for somebody who has diabetes.
Maintain control of your blood sugar levels.
Steer clear of loud noises and safeguard your ears by using earplugs.