Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Nov 07, 2013

Diabetes and hearing loss are two of the biggest health concerns in the United States, and more and more research is starting to show how they are linked. Learn more…

Diabetes is a major contributor to poor health in the United States. It currently affects almost 26 million people in the country, and it can lead to complications like heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is also the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation in adults in the U.S.

40 Million People With Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common problem associated with aging, disease, heredity and exposure to loud noise, and almost 40 million people in the United States suffer with some sort of hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Twice as Common in Diabetics

While both diabetes and hearing loss come with their own sets of challenges, there is overlap between these groups, and many people have to deal with both. A study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that hearing loss is twice as common in those adults who have diabetes than those who don’t.

Hearing Loss: A Complication Of Diabetes

Researchers noted that as diabetes becomes more common, the disease might become a significant contributor to hearing loss. In the NIH study, researchers found a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes.

A Strong Link Between Diabetes And Hearing Loss

The study found a link between diabetes and diminished hearing across high, middle and low frequencies, but the impairment was most evident at high frequencies.

Pre-Diabetes And Hearing Loss

Adults with higher blood sugar who were diagnosed as pre-diabetes also had a 30 percent higher rate of hearing impairment compared to those with normal blood sugar.

An Audiologist Can Help

If you suffer from high blood sugar or diabetes, it is imperative that you get your hearing tested immediately and periodically after that, to ensure good hearing health for the rest of your life. Our experienced audiologists are trained to work with diabetics to keep your hearing on track.

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