DIABETES AND HEARING LOSS: UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP
As per the data collected between 2017 and 2018, 1.2 million Australians had diabetes- and if you are one of them, we would advise you to take a close watch on your hearing, too. The research indicates that diabetics are more prone to developing hearing loss than those without the disease.
That said, if you have diabetes or have strangely high blood glucose levels, doctors recommend you get your hearing checked every year. Moreover, if you have prediabetes (have elevated blood glucose levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed for diabetes), you are at 30% greater risk of hearing loss.
Studies on this correlation are ongoing and scientists, at this point, are not sure why diabetes negatively impacts the sense of hearing. Leading theories, however, pinpointed that high blood glucose levels might cause damage to the small blood vessels in the inner ear and impair blood flow.
Researchers suggest that hearing loss could be traced to blood vessel damage in the ear resulting from updown swings in blood glucose levels that are common among those with diabetes.
THE LINK: DIABETES & HEARING LOSS Studies on this correlation are ongoing and scientists, at this point, are not sure why diabetes negatively impacts the sense of hearing. Leading theories, however, pinpointed that high blood glucose levels might cause damage to the small blood vessels in the inner ear and impair blood flow.
Researchers suggest that hearing loss could be traced to blood vessel damage in the ear resulting from updown swings in blood glucose levels that are common among those with diabetes.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU HAVE HEARING LOSS • Difficulty understanding one-on-one conversations, especially when talking with more than one person. • Problems with balance when you stand up. • Frequent urge to increase the volume when watching TV, listening to radio or while talking to someone over the phone. • Trouble hearing in a noisy background like a restaurant or a busy store.
This is not it, a person may encounter additional risks, if • >65 • Male • Experience regular exposure to loud noises or sounds • Regularly missing their blood glucose targets • Smokes • Going through a problem in the other ear like an infection, disease or a genetic predisposition to hearing loss
If you happen to tick off most risks on the above mentioned list, consider yourself in high risk group. However, if your inner ear is not damaged and you can manage your blood glucose carefully, there are ways to treat or prevent diabetes-related hearing loss.
Though many people experience hearing loss as they age, there is a lot one can do to reduce the risk and preserve their hearing, including.
CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR: Managing Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes is not easy, medicine and healthy lifestyle can help though. Besides, maintaining tight blood sugar control could help with the longevity of your ears, allowing you to hear clearly for a long time.
AVOID SMOKING: Smoking is considered a wellestablished risk factor for hearing loss. There have been studies to show that constant exposure to smokingwhether directly, secondhand or even in utero, can have a big impact on an individual’s hearing health.
While smoking speeds hearing loss on its own, but can even increase the risk when combined with other hearing loss risk factors such as poorly controlled diabetes, regularly working in a noisy environment or frequently using firearms.
MANAGE LOUD NOISE: When it comes to hearing loss, a noisy environment is the one where you have to raise your voice to be heard. Such an environment increases your risk of hearing loss; if you cannot switch tasks or jobs, consider using a noise cancellation device.
Besides, get your hearing checked regularly and talk to an audiologist or health care provider when you notice even a slightest change in your hearing. In addition, the importance of regular exercise cannot be neglected when it comes to maintaining adequate circulation needed for healthy ears and good hearing.
Other easy steps you can follow to protect your hearing include • Turning down the volume on personal electronic devices, the television and car radio. • If you continuously engage in high-noises activities events, protect your ears with headphones or disposable earplugs.
If you experience any issue with your hearing, act immediately and consult with an audiologist. Your hearing care professional can perform a hearing test to see how well your ears are functioning and suggest best hearing aids in case hearing loss is detected.
If you experience any issue with your hearing, act immediately and consult with an audiologist. Your hearing care professional can perform a hearing test to see how well your ears are functioning and suggest best hearing aids in case hearing loss is detected.
From Starkey to Widex and Oticon hearing aids, you will find a wide range of brands and styles when looking to buy hearing aids in Australia. Regardless of which type of hearing aids you invest in, you can expect a better listening experience with your hearing aids based on your lifestyle and surrounding.
Contact Us Hearing Aid Specialists SA • Address: 6 Grenfell Street Kent Town , S.A. , 5067 • Phone: 08 8362 6099 • Fax: 08 8363 3444 • Email ID: reception@hassa.com.au • Website URL: http://www.hassa.com.au/