Since the 1960s, members of the scientific community have noted a connection between diabetes and hearing loss. In particular, studies have shown that hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes than in those without.
Also, the risk of hearing loss is 30% higher for adults with prediabetes, or people whose blood sugar levels are higher than average but not high enough for a type II diabetes diagnosis.
The reason for this connection is still being researched and debated, but the leading hypothesis is that nerve damage from diabetes in the ears leads to hearing loss.
Similar to how diabetic nerve damage can damage the fingers, toes, eyes, and kidneys, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves in the inner ear. Plus, low blood sugar levels can damage how nerve signals travel to the brain. It’s believed that either of these kinds of nerve damage can lead to hearing loss.
This kind of hearing loss occurs over time, meaning many people don't notice the gradual decline in their hearing. That makes getting regular hearing tests all the more important. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with diabetes, schedule an appointment with the audiologists near you at Hearing Unlimited.
Not only does diabetes increase a person’s risk of developing hearing loss, but it also increases their risk of developing tinnitus as well. Tinnitus is a condition that causes people to hear ringing, buzzing or hissing in their ears. This noise can be constant or only occasional, and it can make going about daily life more challenging.
Tinnitus is often the result of damage to the auditory system, meaning that a person who already has hearing loss from diabetes may face issues with tinnitus, as well. However, it’s possible for a person with diabetes to develop tinnitus without first developing hearing loss from nerve damage.
Research has shown that amongst people with tinnitus, a large majority also have a high level of insulin in their bloodstream. This can be caused by insulin resistance, or the body’s inability to process insulin correctly, which impacts most people with type II diabetes. In other words, this connection between insulin resistance and diabetes means that a person with type II diabetes is more likely to experience tinnitus, even without nerve damage.
If you have diabetes and ear ringing, seek help from the expert audiologists near you. Our specialists at Hearing Unlimited can walk you through your treatment options and help you choose the one that’s right for you.
If you have type I or type II diabetes, hearing loss is something to stay vigilant about. Because hearing loss typically happens over a long period of time, you may not notice that your ability to hear is diminishing. That means scheduling regular hearing tests is of the utmost importance!
If a hearing test reveals that you do have hearing loss, a hearing aid may be recommended. At Hearing Unlimited, we believe in the power of hearing aids to change our patients’ lives. We take pride in our personalized approach, offering a large selection of different hearing aids to fit each person’s individual needs, and ensuring that our patients never have to live with a damaged or ineffective device.
With our Hear For Life Program, we promise to care for your hearing aid throughout the lifetime of the device. If your hearing aid becomes damaged, is in need of cleaning, or requires other maintenance, you can come to one of our hearing aid centers for care. No one should live with a hearing aid that doesn’t work—that’s why we offer this program and so much more!
If you’re ready to address your hearing loss, it’s time to contact the experts at Hearing Unlimited. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started!
Diabetes is known to cause nerve damage when blood sugar levels are uncontrolled, most commonly affecting nerves in the legs and feet. Researchers believe that this nerve damage can also affect the inner ear, interfering with the sending of signals to the brain and causing hearing loss.
If you believe you may be suffering from hearing loss, whether or not you have diabetes, it’s time to get started with an audiologist. First, you’ll want to have your hearing evaluated either in person or online(opens in a new tab). Then, your audiologist will be able to discuss the next steps with you, which may include wearing hearing aids.
Hearing aids are a popular treatment for hearing loss, and at Hearing Unlimited, we offer many different styles and brands to best suit your individual needs. Also, with our 7 Day Test Drive, we give our patients the opportunity to try out their hearing aids for a week with no obligation to buy them.
Hearing Unlimited has hearing aid specialists near you in Monroeville, Penn Hills, South Hills, Harmaville, North Huntington, and throughout the Pittsburgh area. Request an appointment online or schedule with us over the phone today to meet with the top hearing aid doctors in Pittsburgh!