Do you have diabetes? You may not even know it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that More than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it! This means it’s important to screen regularly, especially if you have a family history or 50 years and older. Beyond devastating complications for your total health, including kidney and heart function, did you know that it can also increase your likeliness of hearing and balance issues?
Hearing Loss is a Serious Issue
Many people underestimate just how serious it is. This is in part due to campaigns led by insurance companies which hope to keep hearing services as elective treatments. They want to minimize hearing loss as complications affecting communication now and then, but over the years this can build up into serious rifts in relationships at home and at work. It can make it incredibly exhausting and frustrating to socialize, causing many with hearing loss to forgo their social life in favor of avoiding communication whenever possible. This is very devastating not only for self-esteem and self-confidence but your cognitive health. Those who live with untreated hearing loss have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, as well as a higher risk of falls and accidents which lead to hospitalization.
What Causes Hearing Loss?
There are several causes of hearing loss, however 90 percent of cases are sensorineural. Sensorineural is a permanent form of hearing loss in which the tiny hair-like cells of the inner ear become damaged, blocking the delivery of sound to the brain. It often happens gradually over time with the loss of certain sounds or words and can cause frustration, depression and more.
There are many factors which can damage the stereocilia from exposure to loud noise, impact to the head, certain medications, exposure to ototoxic chemicals or even due to changes in the ear as we age. However, the stereocilia rely on a steady supply of healthy, oxygenated blood to support them. Chronic health issues including cardiovascular disease, hypertension and yes—diabetes can inhibit the flow of blood to the ears, increasing the risk that the stereocilia will sustain damage.
Raising Awareness
Many people don’t consider hearing loss as part of diabetes care. For this reason, an organization called The Audiology Project has been working in collaboration with major health groups such as the US Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association to help raise awareness around hearing health for diabetes patients.
“Doctors do not ‘see’ hearing loss and rarely refer patients for a hearing test, unless they see that the guidelines from the American Diabetes Association include hearing evaluations every year,” explains audiologist Kathy Dowd, CEO of The Audiology Project.
The issue is that diabetes and hearing loss, both chronic health issues are difficult to diagnose at first until it truly starts to impact your life. The goal is prevention in the form of regular screenings. “Many people do not realize they have hearing loss, so it may be a surprise to know hearing could be affected when they have diabetes,” Dowd continues. “And those who have a recognized hearing loss will now have an answer for why.”
How Often Should You Be Treated For Hearing Loss
How often you attend screenings for diabetes and hearing loss in part is due to your risk factors. If you work in a noisy profession, participate in noisy hobbies, have a family history or are 60 years or older it’s a good idea to test your hearing every one to three years. If you have diabetes, now the CDC recommends that people get their hearing tested annually.
Diabetes Care is Essential to Preventing Hearing Loss
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, then it’s important that you do what you can to keep your blood sugar at safe levels. This includes regular cardiovascular exercise and a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins, while avoiding processed sugars and salts. It’s also important to test your glucose levels and take the prescriptions recommended by your doctor.
If You Suspect You have Hearing Loss, Don’t Delay!
Catching hearing loss early can help prevent many of the emotional, cognitive, and physical risks associated with hearing loss which are difficult to reverse if left unaddressed. The first step is to contact us today to set up a hearing screening!