Diabetes and Hearing Loss – What’s the Connection?

Multiple studies link hearing loss to diabetes —a condition that affects an estimated 48 million Americans. Here are some quick facts about hearing loss and diabetes:
• Hearing loss is twice as common in people who have diabetes
• Like diabetes, hearing loss affects an increasing number of individuals as they age
• It is estimated that the impact of diabetes on hearing may be due to the effects of blood flow to the auditory system.
The CDC reports that 30.3 million Americans—9.4 percent of the population—have diabetes. However, it’s estimated that 7.2 million diabetic Americans are undiagnosed. This is especially important because hearing loss has been found to be twice as common in people who have diabetes.
So why this connection?
The inner ears are complex and require proper blood flow to function correctly. It’s thought that uncontrolled fluctuations in blood sugar levels due to diabetes contribute to hearing loss because they damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including those found in the functional parts of the ear.
The good news is that with proper screening, hearing loss and diabetes are both conditions that can be easily identified. Although sensorineural hearing loss cannot be cured, hearing aids can help to treat symptoms of hearing loss and provide a better quality of life. In fact, the majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from the use of hearing aids.
The best thing you can do to make sure you are maintaining your overall health and well-being is receive regular hearing screenings in addition to your other doctor visits. To schedule a hearing evaluation today, please call Audiology Associates at 661-284-1900. Patrice Rifkind, Au.D. and Kevin Bolder, Au.D. are two of the best in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley. Visit our website at www.AudiologyAssociates.net or stop by our office located at 23838 Valencia Blvd, Suite 100 in Valencia. We are hearing healthcare excellence!