When two or more health conditions occur in the same person, we call them comorbidities. These conditions don’t always cause one another, but can influence how the body functions, including how well we hear. Knowing which health issues can lead to or present with hearing loss is a key first step in understanding your risk.
Common Hearing Loss Comorbidities
Certain chronic conditions can increase your risk of hearing loss by impacting how the auditory system functions. Some of the most common include:
- Diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), people with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss. High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the inner ear, while low blood sugar may interfere with how the auditory nerve delivers sound to the brain.
- High blood pressure. When blood pressure is consistently high, it can strain and eventually harm the delicate vessels in the inner ear, affecting circulation and hearing sensitivity.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 2023 review found a link between RA and auditory damage. In some cases, RA causes your immune system to attack the ears like it attacks the joints. In others, the medications used to manage inflammation (ototoxic drugs) contribute to hearing issues.
Other health problems that present with or potentially cause hearing loss include heart disease, high cholesterol and kidney disease.
Protecting Your Hearing and Overall Health
Just because a health condition presents with or increases your risk for hearing loss doesn’t mean hearing loss is inevitable. The key is early action. If you’re living with any of the conditions mentioned above, work with your healthcare provider to manage them effectively.
Because comorbidities often result from an underlying issue connecting both conditions, as with high blood pressure damaging ears and leading to heart disease, yearly wellness checks with your San Luis Obispo provider and routine hearing checkups are crucial. Even if you haven’t noticed symptoms yet, regular screenings can detect changes in your hearing before they affect your communication, safety or quality of life.
Take control of your hearing health today. Schedule a hearing evaluation with our trusted M.K. Larson Audiology team.
