Living with diabetes means paying a little extra attention to your health, including one thing you might not expect: hearing. While it’s not something people often talk about, studies have shown that there may be a connection between diabetes and hearing changes. But don’t worry; this isn’t an immediate cause for alarm. Awareness of the relationship lets you take small, simple steps to keep your hearing sharp. Here, we'll further discuss the connection between diabetes and hearing loss and how to protect your hearing without adding stress to your routine.
How Diabetes Affects the Body
According to the CDC, there are over 38 million people in the United States currently living with diabetes. This includes people of all ages and all types of diabetes, including undiagnosed cases. While each type of diabetes affects the body slightly differently, they all affect how blood sugar is processed.
With type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin, so people need to manage their blood sugar with daily insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin but doesn’t use it effectively. It’s the most common type and often develops over time. There’s also gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy and usually goes away afterward, but it still needs careful management. There are also a few other types of diabetes, but these are quite rare, affecting less than 1% of those diagnosed.
Regardless of the type of diabetes you have, prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. Over time, this can lead to complications in areas like the eyes, kidneys, heart, feet, and even the ears. Keeping blood sugar in a healthy range is key to preventing these issues and staying well.
Important Information About Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a reduction in one's ability to hear sounds clearly, often because one or more parts of the hearing system aren't working as they should. This could be issues with the outer, middle, or inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. The degree of hearing loss can range from mild to severe and may slowly progress over time.
There are also a few different types of hearing loss, including:
- Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and happens when there’s damage to the inner ear or the nerves that send sound signals to the brain.
- Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound can’t travel through the ear properly, often due to blockages like earwax or fluid.
- Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both.
The good news is that hearing loss is manageable, especially when caught early. That’s why regular hearing checkups and attention to subtle signs can make a big difference for people with and without diabetes.
The Scientific Link Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss
Although it can happen to anyone, especially as they get older, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered higher rates of hearing loss in people with diabetes. This was found after researchers analyzed data from hearing tests given to a representative sample in the US. It measured the ability to hear low, middle, and high frequency sounds in both ears. They found that "the link between diabetes and hearing loss was evident across all frequencies, with a stronger association in the high frequency range." The results? Hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes. Adults with prediabetes also had a higher rate of hearing loss than people with normal blood sugar ranges after an overnight fast. Although this study was performed in 2004, experts believe that, due to the large, nationally representative sample, results allowed for a definitive conclusion that diabetes is a risk factor for hearing loss.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also confirms the findings that individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss as those without. However, the exact reason for this complication of diabetes is still unknown.
Some experts believe that the risk of hearing loss associated with diabetes can be due to elevated blood glucose levels, but more research is necessary to confirm this. The idea behind it, however, is that prolonged periods of high blood glucose can damage small blood vessels in the inner ear, which then affects hearing. This is similar to how high blood sugar can cause problems with eye health or kidney function. It may also have something to do with nerve damage, inflammation, or general oxidative stress. Hopefully, as more research is completed, experts will better understand this relationship.
Risk Factors That Can Lead to Hearing Loss
The relationship between diabetes and hearing loss is complicated, but there are a few risk factors to be aware of. Some of these include:
- Aging
- Noise exposure
- Genetics
- Conditions, such as measles, mumps, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, stroke
- Uncontrolled blood sugar
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Certain medication use
- Trauma to the ear
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Smoking
If you have any risk factors or are worried about your ear health in general, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Hearing loss may be difficult to notice, as early warning signs can be subtle. However, recognizing symptoms early can help catch issues and may help reduce the risk of further hearing loss. Some of the most notable signs include:
- Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Thinking that others are mumbling
- Trouble following conversations with multiple people
- Turning up the volume on devices
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Withdrawal from conversations or social settings
If you notice any of these signs of hearing loss or have a loved one point them out, it's best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. An audiologist can also help identify and diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss to help determine next steps.
The Importance of Early Detection and Regular Hearing Exams
Catching hearing loss early can make a big difference. When changes in hearing are identified sooner rather than later, it’s easier to manage them and prevent further decline. Regular hearing exams, especially when living with diabetes, can help spot subtle shifts before they become noticeable in daily life.
Managing Hearing Loss in People with Diabetes
If you or your doctor notice any problems with hearing during one of your exams, there are a few things that you can do. While diabetes management should always be a priority, tools are available to help you continue enjoying the sounds surrounding you. Some possible options for hearing loss management include:
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are among the most common and effective tools. Today’s models are smaller, smarter, and more comfortable than ever. They can help amplify sound, filter out background noise, and improve clarity, especially in social situations or busy environments. However, hearing aids may not work for every type of hearing loss, so it's important to work with your audiologist.
Assistive Listening Devices
There are also assistive listening devices, phone apps, and communication strategies that can make daily life easier. For example, using captions during video calls or sitting closer in quiet spaces can help improve communication. Your diabetes specialist can help you determine the best options based on your circumstances.
Blood Sugar Management
Managing your diabetes also plays a key role in protecting your hearing. Keeping your blood sugar within a healthy range helps reduce the risk of damage to the inner ear's tiny blood vessels and nerves. Staying active, eating well, taking medications as prescribed, and attending regular health checkups all contribute to better outcomes for your hearing and overall health. If you have difficulty managing blood sugar levels, talk to your doctor for recommendations.
Take Charge of Your Health
While diabetes may increase the risk of hearing loss, it doesn't definitively mean it will happen to you. You can take meaningful steps to protect your hearing and overall well-being by getting routine hearing check-ups and managing your blood sugar levels.
At Byram Healthcare, we’re here to support every part of your diabetes journey. From insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to testing supplies and more, we make it easy to get the diabetes supplies you need, delivered right to your door. Our team is dedicated to helping you live confidently with diabetes, one healthy step at a time. Explore our wide range of diabetes products today and see how Byram can help simplify your care.
