Did you know that hearing loss is roughly twice as common in adults with diabetes than in non-diabetics? The link between diabetes and hearing loss is well-documented, making it an important factor to consider in diabetes management.
Read on to learn more about how diabetes and hearing loss are connected.
How Are Diabetes and Hearing Loss Connected?
The high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage the blood vessels that supply your body’s nerves over time. With a lack of blood flow, the nerves don’t receive the oxygen and nutrients that they need. This can result in nerve damage in many parts of the body, including the ears.
Diabetics may also experience low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar can compromise the nerve signals that travel from the inner ear to the brain, potentially leading to hearing loss.
Nerve damage from both high and low blood sugar can cause hearing loss. This makes it a significant complication to consider for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss with Diabetes
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, keeping your blood sugar within your target levels is a crucial strategy for hearing loss prevention. Closely follow your physician’s recommendations for diabetes management.
You can also protect your hearing by:
- Having your hearing checked once annually
- Steering clear of other causes of hearing loss, like loud sounds
- Keeping the volume low whenever you wear headphones or earbuds
- Wearing hearing protection if you need to use loud equipment or work in loud environments
- Talking to your doctor about the medications you’re taking, as certain drugs can lead to hearing damage
If you’re experiencing signs of hearing loss, like having to ask others to repeat themselves or struggling to follow conversations, the team at ENT Associates is here to help. Schedule an appointment with us today!
