Hearing impairment linked to type 2 diabetes: Study

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Hearing impairment is linked to diabetes, and studies recommend hearing testing for type 2 diabetes management. The research found compelling evidence that diabetes can damage the auditory system, and that doctors should recommend regular hearing tests for their diabetic patients.

Researcher Elizabeth Helzner said, “An association between diabetes and hearing impairment in human subjects has been shown in many, but not all, studies. Direct comparison of these studies is complicated due to a lack of consistency in defining hearing impairment and other factors. However, the association between diabetes and hearing impairment tends to be stronger in studies that included younger participants, perhaps because in older samples, other causes of age-related hearing impairment may mask the contribution of diabetes to the impairment. This factor in itself lends weight to the notion that type 2 diabetes can damage hearing.”

The uncovered association between hearing loss and diabetes is fairly recent, so longitudinal studies are required to better understand the relationship.

Prevalence of hearing loss in the U.S.

An estimated 15 percent of adults report some trouble hearing, and men are more likely to endure hearing problems than women. One in eight Americans have hearing loss in both ears, and two percent of Americans aged 45 to 54 live with debilitating hearing loss, which increases with age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that nearly one-quarter of those aged 65 to 75 experience hearing loss. As you can see, hearing loss is a pressing issue that affects just about everyone.

Causes and symptoms of hearing loss with diabetes

A study published in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) has found a link between diabetes and hearing loss. Lead author Chika Horikawa said, “The association of hearing impairment with diabetes is controversial, but it is believed that over time, high blood glucose levels can damage vessels…diminishing the ability to hear.”

The findings from the study unveiled that diabetics were twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss, compared to individuals who did not have diabetes.

Although this study – along with many others – has found a relationship between diabetes and hearing loss, there is still room for further research. The takeaway message here is, in order to prevent hearing loss associated with diabetes, it is wise to effectively control and manage diabetes.

Whether you have diabetes or are simply getting older, it’s important to spot the signs and symptoms of hearing loss, so that you can start preventing further damage and possible hearing loss

Signs and symptoms of hearing loss include:

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
• Difficulty following conversations when two or more individuals are involved
• Perceiving others as mumbling
• Difficulty hearing others in noisy areas like restaurants
• Trouble hearing voices of women and small children
• Turning up the volume on the TV or radio, and having others complain it is too loud

Your doctor will refer you to an audiologist who specializes in hearing in order to determine how bad your hearing has become and outline the next steps.

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