Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does produce. Without proper management, diabetes can impact various systems in the body, including hearing.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss
The blood vessels in the inner ear are extremely sensitive to blood flow. Diabetes can lead to poor circulation. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Low blood sugar over time can damage how the nerve signals travel from the inner ear to your brain. Both types of nerve damage can lead to hearing loss.
Hearing loss is twice as common in people who have diabetes as it is in people of the same age who don’t. Even people with prediabetes (blood sugar levels higher than normal but not high enough yet to have diabetes) have a 30% higher rate of hearing loss than people with normal blood sugar levels.
Protecting Your Hearing Health with Diabetes
Given the association between diabetes and hearing loss, it’s essential for individuals with diabetes to prioritize their hearing health. Proper management of diabetes through lifestyle modifications, medication and regular medical check-ups can help reduce the risk of complications, including hearing loss.
Furthermore, regular hearing screenings should be incorporated into the healthcare routine of individuals with diabetes to detect any changes in auditory function early on. Addressing hearing loss promptly can improve overall quality of life and prevent further deterioration of hearing abilities.
Diabetes can have far-reaching effects beyond its well-known complications, such as cardiovascular disease and nerve damage. By understanding the mechanisms behind diabetes-related hearing loss and taking proactive steps to protect hearing health, individuals can mitigate the impact of diabetes on their hearing and maintain their quality of life.
To learn more about hearing loss or to schedule a hearing test, contact M.K. Larson Audiology today.
