Can Diabetes Cause Hearing Loss?

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Of all of your concerns about diabetes-related health conditions, hearing loss is probably not at the top, middle, or even at the bottom of your list. However, hearing loss is twice as common for more than 37 million people with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Even the 133 million US adults with prediabetics have 30% higher hearing loss than those without condition.

Are you confused about what the connection is? Well, it’s the same problem that causes so many health problems for diabetics: nerve damage (neuropathy).

Scientists believe that hyperglycemia damages small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, according to the CDC. Hypoglycemia can also contribute, and nerve signals damage the way they travel from the inner ear to the brain. Which type of nerve damage, CDC, can lead to hearing loss.

Diabetes can also cause dysfunction in the vestibular system. That’s the part of your inner ear and helps in balance. In fact, vestibular dysfunction is 70% higher in people with diabetes, compared to people who don’t have it. This can make it difficult for hearing and balance-related signals to reach the brain.

Below are a few other ways diabetes can affect hearing, according to the CDC.

• Diabetes can have a negative effect on the semicircular and otolith organs of the inner ear. These effects contribute to vestibular system problems. And obviously, balance issues can lead to falls. In fact, the incidence of falls is 39% higher.
• Diabetes can reduce brain microcirculation (the main system of distribution of oxygen and nutrients fueled by brain tissue), including the auditory center of the brain.
• Diabetes can also affect cortical hearing processing and can affect hearing.

A recent study in India has found an association between age, nephropathy (renal disease), and nephropathy with hearing impairment in patients with diabetes. One more important point was that the severity of hearing loss worsened as neuropathy and severity of A1C levels increased.

It rings

Relevant to hearing loss is tinnitus, a condition in which people can recognize sounds such as sounds, roaring, or resonating, not from external sources. The National Institute of Hearing and Other Communication Disorders points out that most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss. Tinnitus can have many causes, including noise exposure, hearing loss, medication, otitis or ear infections, or head or neck injuries. However, it can also be caused by chronic conditions, including diabetes.

A 2021 study by Iranian researchers found that type 2 diabetes may be associated with tinnitus severity. They identified tinnitus-related problems as being associated with the duration of diabetes and noted that they were more severe among patients who had diabetes for more than a decade. Their conclusion was that in diabetic patients, tinnitus can be an indicator of the development of neuropathy.

Many people with diabetes know that they need to test their eyes each year. However, some authorities may not be aware that annual hearing testing is also recommended. For example, the CDC states: “When you first have diabetes and then discover it every year afterwards, the auditor should test it.”

You may also want to ask your doctor or see an auditory specialist if you have experienced the following:

• Hearing sounds and other noises in your ears and head.
• I have problems listening and maintaining the balance.
• Be sure to worry that you may become dizzy, fall or fall.
• Frequently ask others to repeat themselves.
• It suddenly changes to how clearly you can understand what people are saying, especially the conversations you have with two or more people.
• Have a hard time understanding what people are saying because of background noise.
• Have a hard time listening to people with high and quiet voices, such as children.
• When they talk to you, people feel like they’re tweeting.
• The TV and radio volume is too large for others nearby.

Audiologists can test not only hearing but also balance-related issues caused by changes in the vestibular system.

The CDC also recommends that people with diabetes wear ear protection around loud sounds, eat healthy foods, and manage their blood sugar levels. Keep an eye on the changes and monitor your hearing. Ask your family and friends if they are aware of changes in your hearing. Ask your doctor if any of your medications can damage your hearing and see if there are other available options.

You can also take self-assessment tools such as Auditory Handicap Inventory Risk Cleaning (PDF). If the results indicate that you have a hearing loss problem, discuss this with your doctor and ask for a referral to an auditory specialist to determine what the problem is and how it can be treated.