Diabetes and Hearing: A Little-Known but Significant Link
When we think of diabetes, we often focus on its harmful effects on the heart, kidneys, or vision. However, diabetes can also have a significant impact on hearing, a link that, while well established in research, remains largely unknown to the general public.
Studies show that individuals living with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop hearing loss as those without the condition. This hearing impairment is often gradual and progressive, sometimes appearing earlier in life and going unnoticed for years.
How Does Diabetes Affect Hearing?
Excess sugar in the bloodstream can affect the auditory system in multiple ways. Diabetes may damage the small blood vessels that supply the inner ear, deprive hearing cells of energy, trigger inflammation, and disrupt the transmission of nerve signals. Collectively, these effects can lead to the gradual deterioration of the inner ear and a decline in hearing.
How Can We Prevent Hearing Loss?
- Maintain optimal blood sugar control. When blood sugar levels are well managed, people with diabetes have a risk of hearing loss comparable to those without the condition. A combination of appropriate medication, a balanced diet, and an active lifestyle plays a key role in achieving this control.
- Undergo regular hearing evaluations by an audiologist. This is especially important if you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, have noticed a decline in your hearing, or have lived with the condition for several years without a hearing assessment.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing signs of hearing loss, consulting a hearing health professional is essential. A comprehensive evaluation will determine the extent of the hearing loss and guide you toward solutions best suited to your needs. Early diagnosis allows for timely intervention, helping to preserve communication, autonomy, and overall quality of life.
Caring for your hearing is an important part of caring for your health as a whole!
If you have hearing problems, make an appointment now in audiology!
BY Katherine Simoneau, Audiologist at Polyclinique de l’Oreille
Source : Piker EG, Spankovich C, Romero DJ, Memering CE, Pierantoni JA. What You Need to Know About the Hearing and Vestibular Consequences of Diabetes. ADCES in Practice. 2020;8(5):20-27. doi:10.1177/2633559X20938829