How Diabetes Can Affect Your Hearing: A Guide for Seniors
Key Takeaways
- Diabetes and hearing loss are closely linked. People with diabetes are at twice the risk of developing hearing loss compared to those without.
- Early signs of hearing loss include difficulty hearing in noisy places, asking people to repeat themselves, and turning up the volume too high.
- Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, depression, and a decline in cognitive health.
- Once hearing damage occurs, it cannot be reversed, so prevention and early intervention are crucial.
- Using devices like the ClearCaptions Phone can help those with hearing loss communicate better and reduce associated mental health risks.
Did you know hearing loss and diabetes are two of America’s greatest health concerns?
According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly over 29% of seniors in the U.S. have diabetes. Studies show that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as in those without. And for people with prediabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to manage diabetes and reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Understanding the Connection: Does Diabetes Affect Hearing?
Research suggests that diabetes-related hearing loss is due to damage to the small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. This damage is usually caused by high blood pressure, a condition commonly associated with diabetes.
This risk is even higher in those with uncontrolled diabetes. When high blood glucose levels are not properly managed, those blood vessels and nerves become damaged quickly.
Learning the signs of diabetes-related hearing loss can help you manage it better.
Signs of Hearing Loss
It’s important to know how to recognize the signs of hearing loss since it can happen slowly and be hard to notice. Often, your friends and family will notice your hearing loss before you do. Here are some signs of hearing loss:
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves, or think others are mumbling
- You struggle with conversations involving multiple people or in noisy environments
- Higher-pitched sounds, like women’s and children’s voices, are difficult to hear
- You experience balance problems when standing up, increasing your risk of falls
- Others comment that you set the TV or radio volume too loud
Risk Factors and Complications
The relationship between hearing loss and diabetes can often be overlooked, but understanding the risk factors and complications can help you develop a plan to avoid them.
The key risk factors of experiencing hearing loss include:
- Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels
- Increasing age
- Family history of either hearing loss or diabetes
Diabetes doesn’t just increase your risk of hearing loss. When you can’t hear, it affects your ability to communicate with others, which can lead to:
- Social isolation and depression
- Reduced quality of life
- Cognitive decline and increased dementia risk
Just as it’s important to understand the connection between hearing loss and diabetes, understanding how to protect your hearing as you age will help avoid unwanted complications and unnecessary hearing loss.
When to Seek Help
Seeking help in a timely manner is crucialfor managing all health concerns, especially hearing loss and diabetes. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your doctor:
- Frequent ringing in your ears
- Difficulty understanding conversations
- Needing to increase the volume on your phone, radio, or TV
With early detection and a great treatment plan, you can successfully manage your diabetes and help avoid further hearing damage.
Management and Prevention Tips
Can diabetes hearing loss be reversed? Unfortunately, no. Once you’ve damaged your inner ear, you can not reverse it. That’s why it’s so important to prevent damage before it happens.
Managing your diabetes and getting your hearing checked regularly can help you avoid unwanted damage. If you experience any sings of hearing loss, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
Your yearly hearing check is essential to catch problems early. Additionally, many medications can affect hearing, so always discuss alternatives with your doctor if needed.
If you have diabetes, here are key ways to protect your hearing:
- Maintain your health by controlling blood sugar levels with a balanced diet and exercise daily
- Protect your ears by avoiding loud noises and wearing protective gear like earplugs or headphones when necessary
- Reduce chronic stress, which can lead to both gradual and sudden hearing loss, as well as tinnitus
Remember that prevention is the best approach since hearing damage cannot be reversed. Taking these steps now can help preserve your hearing for years to come.
Treatment Options for Hearing Loss
To protect your hearing, it’s important to take care of your hearing health. Make sure to schedule regular appointments with an audiologist or hearing care professional. It’s just as important as your diabetes care appointments!
Your medical provider will be able to walk you through treatment options that pair well with your insurance or Medicare plans. Popular treatment options include hearing aids or other similar devices.
Certain technologies, like our ClearCaptions Phone, are also helpful tools that can reduce your risk of hearing loss-related problems like depression, social isolation, and declining mental health. The ClearCaptions Phone makes it simple to talk with friends, family, and healthcare providers. As the person on the other end speaks, captions will appear on the screen in near real-time. You won’t miss another word during your phone calls.
Taking care of your hearing health is an essential part of your overall well-being. By staying proactive about your hearing and overall health, you can enjoy a better quality of life as you age. Remember, prioritizing your health today means more happy moments with your loved ones in the future.
