The surprising link between diabetes and hearing loss
Oct. 14, 2024—More than 38 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and even more have prediabetes. If you're one of them, you're likely aware of some of the ways diabetes can harm your body. But here's one you may not know about: Diabetes and prediabetes can cause hearing loss.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes who have normal blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. And hearing loss rates are 30% higher among those with prediabetes.
Why? We don't yet know for certain, but researchers suspect that high blood glucose levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, just as they damage these structures in the eyes and the kidneys.
It's not just high sugars, though. Low blood sugar may damage how nerve signals travel from the inner ear to your brain. Inner ear problems can affect your balance and cause falls.
Know the signs of hearing loss
Hearing loss often happens slowly and sometimes isn't noticed right away. The ADA suggests you may have hearing loss if you:
- Often ask other people to repeat themselves.
- Have trouble hearing in noisy places, like restaurants.
- Have difficulty hearing small children and others with quiet voices.
- Turn up the TV or radio volume so much that people around you say it's too loud.
- Can't easily follow group conversations.
- Think other people mumble.
What you can do
While you can't reverse diabetes-related hearing loss, you can prevent it from advancing. And you can get hearing aids to help you hear better.
First, talk with your healthcare provider. They can recommend a hearing specialist like an audiologist, a licensed hearing aid clinic or a doctor who specializes in ear problems. With a full hearing exam, you'll learn more about your hearing loss and what can be done to treat it.
Protect your ears with these tips:
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control. Try to avoid the extreme highs and lows that can cause hearing damage.
- Quit smoking, and watch your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. All three have also been linked to hearing damage.
- Have your hearing and balance checked by an audiologist each year.
- Avoid loud noises. Turn the volume down, walk away from the noise and take breaks.
- Wear hearing protection when you use power tools and mowers or attend concerts and sporting events. Options include pre-molded, formable, or custom-molded earplugs or earmuffs (which fit most people).
- Ask your doctor if any of your medicines can damage your hearing and if there are other options.
Sources
- AARP. "The Surprising Link Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss." https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/diabetes-hearing-loss.html.
- American Diabetes Association. "Diabetes and Hearing Loss." https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/hearing-loss/diabetes-and-hearing-loss.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Hearing Loss." https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-hearing-loss.html.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss." https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss/prevention/index.html.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Promoting Ear Health." https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/hcp/clinical-guidance/how-to-promote-ear-health-for-people-with-diabetes.html.
- National Council on Aging. "Hearing Loss and Diabetes: What You Need to Know." https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/diabetes-and-hearing-loss.