Diabetes and Hearing Loss: What’s the Connection?

Did you know that May is Better Hearing and Speech month? Did you also know that hearing loss can be a result of having diabetes? Both diabetes and hearing loss are common among Americans, with an estimated 30 million living with diabetes, and an estimated 48 million living with some degree of hearing loss. When we think of diabetes-related complications, hearing impairment is not a commonly known complication of diabetes and is not talked about often enough. If this is the first time you are hearing (no pun) about the connection between diabetes and hearing loss, read below to learn what you can do!

Can diabetes cause hearing loss?

Unfortunately...Yes! A study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2008, found that people with diabetes were twice as likely to have hearing loss when compared to people without diabetes. People with prediabetes were also found to be at a higher risk of hearing loss, and had a 30% increase when compared to people without diabetes. Another study found that having low HDL, coronary heart disease, peripheral neuropathy and having poor health were all potentially preventable factors of hearing loss for people with diabetes. Although not entirely clear, experts believe diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the blood vessels in the ear.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

• Difficulty following conversations
• Asking others to repeat themselves or speak slower, clearer or louder
• Difficulty hearing in noisy places
• Muffling of speech and other sounds
• Turning up the volume on devices such as; TVs or the radio
• Avoidance of some conversations

How is hearing loss diagnosed and treated?

Hearing loss is diagnosed through a hearing exam done by an audiologist. The treatment of any hearing problems varies off the severity of your hearing loss, and one common way to manage it would be the use of a hearing aid.

What can you do?

Similar to how we prevent other diabetes-related complications, controlling blood sugars is important. Work with your diabetes educator and other health care provides to achieve optimal blood sugar control. Blood sugar targets may be individualized, and it is important to speak with your health care providers to learn your goal.

The American diabetes Association recommends the following targets for people with diabetes:

• Hgba1c <7%
• Fasting/Pre meal blood sugar 80-130
• 2 hour post meal blood sugar <180

Early identification of hearing loss is critical, and treatment can improve your quality of life. If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, speak with your primary care doctor or health care team. They may suggest seeing a doctor who specializes in hearing to screen.