Understanding the Link Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas can’t make enough insulin or the body doesn’t know how to use the insulin it produces. It can affect many aspects of a person’s life, and now, scientists are zeroing in on how diabetes and hearing loss are related.

According to the CDC, an estimated 38 million Americans, or about 1 in 10, have diabetes. About 98 million adults, or 1 in 3, are considered prediabetic. At least 90% of adult cases involve type 2 diabetes. This means that diabetes hearing loss prevention is possible.

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop hearing loss as the general population. But what is the connection between these two conditions?

World Diabetes Day: Raising Awareness for Hearing Health

World Diabetes Day, recognized by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization, is observed annually on November 14. Organizations use this day to raise awareness of the medical and economic impacts of diabetes, often with a focus on heart, kidney, and vision health.

During World Diabetes Day, hearing health is not always emphasized. However, people living with diabetes are twice as likely to develop hearing loss. Those who are prediabetic have a 30% higher risk of developing hearing loss than people with normal blood glucose. 

Early detection and prevention are key to preserving hearing, and audiologists play a key role in diagnosing hearing loss in diabetic patients. 

This year, patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can use World Diabetes Day as a reminder to schedule an annual hearing test at Happy Ears Hearing Center, where the trusted team offers comprehensive hearing evaluations.

Exploring the Diabetes-Hearing Loss Connection

Several studies have focused on the connection between diabetes and hearing loss. Two-thirds of adults with type 2 diabetes have hearing loss, with 36.2% of them experiencing moderate to severe hearing loss.

One study reveals that the higher prevalence of hearing loss in diabetic patients as opposed to nondiabetic patients applies regardless of age. Diabetes is also more likely to aggravate existing hearing loss in older patients. 

The type of hearing loss most common in those with type 2 diabetes is bilateral high-frequency. Hearing loss can affect both high and low frequencies.

While several factors could play a role in hearing loss, fluctuating blood sugar is the likely root cause. High blood sugar levels may damage blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Meanwhile, low blood sugar can impact how nerve signals travel between the inner ear and the brain. 

Those with diabetes or prediabetes can protect against hearing loss by carefully monitoring blood glucose, scheduling a hearing test for people with diabetes, and avoiding other potential causes of hearing loss.

Impact on Auditory Health

High blood sugar levels, which is what diabetes causes, create chemical changes in the body that affect the nervous system. This can impact the nervous system’s ability to send normal sound signals to the brain. Diabetes can also cause changes to the basement membrane, the stria vascularis, and the cochlear hair cells. 

The cochlea is particularly vulnerable because of the many small blood vessels it contains. Diabetes causes changes in small blood vessels, which leads to vision problems and even the development of diabetic foot. The blood vessels in the cochlea can easily get damaged, leading to hearing loss. 

Hyperglycemia also leads to oxidative damage as well as the creation of free radicals, which can cause neuronal damage. Oxidative stress leads to the degeneration of the small blood vessels that feed the atrial-cochlear nerve, which is responsible for balance and hearing. 

High blood pressure, which is common in people with diabetes, can also cause damage to your hearing. High blood pressure makes blood travel with more force through blood vessels, potentially leading to vessel lining damage. 

Early Signs of Hearing Issues Related to Diabetes

Hearing loss happens gradually for people who have diabetes, making it hard to notice. In many instances, people who are close to you may notice your hearing loss before you do. 

Common early signs of hearing issues include:

• Having trouble following conversations with more than one person
• Often asking others to repeat themselves 
• Turning up the volume of the television too loudly for others 
• Thinking that others are mumbling 
• Having trouble hearing the voices of young children
• Struggling to hear in loud and busy places

Many people who begin experiencing hearing loss notice they have trouble with consonants. Consonants are high-frequency sounds, which hearing loss from diabetes can make harder to detect. 

You may also notice that you don’t hear as many bird sounds as you used to or that your car’s turn signal is not as audible as it once was. These are all higher-pitched sounds as well. 

You may also notice you have listener fatigue. It occurs because you spend the day struggling to hear. Having problems with your inner ear can also impact your balance, putting you at a higher risk of falling. 

Proactive Measures for Hearing Preservation

If you have diabetes and you’re worried about experiencing hearing loss, taking proactive measures is vital. Perhaps the most important of these is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. You can prevent a lot of damage to your auditory system by avoiding hyperglycemia as much as possible.

Make sure to have regular hearing assessments. Make these checkups part of your regular diabetes care schedule. Get your hearing tested by an audiologist as soon as you receive a diabetes diagnosis to have a baseline. 

Speak with your healthcare provider about any medications you take for diabetes and any other conditions. Some medications can increase the chances of developing hearing loss.

Lifestyle and Auditory Health

If you smoke, you should quit. Smoking increases blood pressure, and the nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can damage blood vessels. 

You should also maintain healthy cholesterol levels. People who eat diets high in cholesterol have a 33% higher risk of developing hearing loss, as high cholesterol can impact circulation throughout the body, reducing blood flow to the inner ear and damaging sensitive hair cells responsible for processing sound. Proper diabetic hearing care is important to preserve auditory health.

Keep external noises low. If you’re exposed to loud noises throughout the day, consider wearing noise-canceling headphones. 

Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol raises your blood pressure, which damages your auditory system. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a drink every once in a while; just don’t overindulge. 

Another important way to not only keep blood pressure down but also reduce your risk of hearing loss is to try to decrease your stress. Exercising is a good way of dealing with stress, as are meditating or doing breathing exercises. 

Managing Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Diabetes is a serious and chronic disease that affects your overall well-being. Because of the way the hyperglycemia caused by diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves, it can permanently affect the hair cells your auditory system depends on to be able to hear. 

Dealing with diabetes and managing hearing loss requires you to pay attention to your blood sugar levels. It’s also necessary to work closely with an audiologist as well as the rest of your care team. 

If you’re struggling with diabetes and hearing loss, you can turn to the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES), which has a locator tool that can help you find a diabetes education program near you. You can also turn to the Hearing Loss Association of America for local support groups.

For those who have diabetes, focusing on auditory health is vital because the risk of hearing loss can be high. Visit your audiologist regularly to get assessments. 

Don’t wait. Schedule a hearing exam at one of our Happy Ears Hearing Center locations.

FAQs

Can Diabetes Really Cause Hearing Loss?

The link between diabetes and hearing loss is undeniable. Studies have shown that factors like fluctuating blood sugar and high cholesterol, which are common in diabetes patients, can contribute to hearing loss.

What Are Early Signs of Hearing Loss in People With Diabetes?

If you frequently ask others to repeat themselves, struggle to hear people speaking at normal volume, or watch TV at high volume, you may be experiencing hearing loss. Other signs include difficulty following conversations with multiple people or in loud environments.  

Can Hearing Aids Help With Diabetes-Related Hearing Loss?

Hearing aids are designed to amplify sound, which can help people with hearing loss related to diabetes. Modern hearing aids include features that allow for modulation in different settings and may connect with a mobile app for easy adjustment and personalization.

How Often Should I Get My Hearing Checked if I Have Diabetes?

You should schedule an appointment with an audiologist as soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, and annual checkups thereafter. Contact Happy Ears Hearing Center today to book an appointment with an experienced audiologist.

Is Hearing Loss Reversible for Diabetics?

The damage to hearing caused by diabetes is generally not reversible. The best way to lower the risk of diabetes-related hearing loss is through frequent screening and a healthy lifestyle.