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Hearing Loss and Diabetes

August 20, 2015 by  
Filed under Featured

Image of a man with diabetes and hearing loss

Nearly 30 million people in the US have diabetes and over 34 million have hearing loss. Many people who have diabetes also experience hearing loss to some degree.

Nearly 30 million people in the United States have diabetes and 86 million people have prediabetes. Recently, research has shown that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop hearing loss. People who have prediabetes are 30 percent more likely to develop hearing loss. Studies have suggested that the increased risk of hearing loss could be from damage to the blood vessels in the inner ear due to high blood glucose levels. But more research needs to be done to determine how diabetes and hearing loss are linked.

Hearing loss often occurs slowly. Usually people who are close to the person notice the signs of hearing loss before the person experiencing it. Here are a few signs to look for if you think you or someone close to you is experiencing hearing loss.

  • Asking people to repeat themselves
  • Problems understanding a conversation between more than two people
  • Turning the TV or radio up louder than others think is necessary
  • Trouble understanding a conversation in loud places
  • Problems understanding women and small children who speak in a higher pitch
  • Constantly thinking others are mumbling

If you notice that you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss you should talk to your primary care doctor. They will probably recommend you see a hearing specialist to determine if you are experiencing hearing loss and what can be done to treat it.

[hupso]

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