While you can’t hear a blood glucose imbalance,  it can impact your ability to hear. An NIH study showed a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes. In fact, if you’re diabetic, you’re 50% more likely than non-diabetics to have hearing loss. Pre-diabetics show a 30% greater prevalence of hearing loss compared to people with normal blood glucose levels. Diabetes and hearing loss are undeniably linked and are both among top American health concerns. These numbers are concerning:

34.5 million Americans have some degree of hearing impairment

30 million Americans are diabetic

86 million Americans are pre-diabetic

 It’s thought that because or inner ears require healthy blood flow to do their work, that the imbalance in blood sugars is impacting the health of the tiny nerves that communicate sounds to the brain. As hearing loss like this tends to be very gradual in onset, you might be unaware that you are showing these common signs of loss:

  • Difficulty hearing and participating in group conversations
  • Difficulty understanding higher pitch sounds like women’s and children’s voices
  • Needing to have the volume up distractingly high for others in the same room
  • Trouble understanding when not looking at the speaker
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Problems hearing in noisy places
  • Asking people to repeat themselves frequently

With so many health issues already connected to diabetes, don’t let hearing loss add to your medical problems. If you or someone you love have been diagnosed diabetic or pre-diabetic, have your hearing evaluated regularly. After all, we get regular check ups, see our dentist and get eyes examined every 6-12 months. Regular hearing evaluations can detect changes in your hearing.

We effectively manage hearing loss and help people live more engaged and happier lives as a result. Call us today to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Contact American Hearing + Audiology for an appointment at one of our top-rated hearing centers.