Diabetes and Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know:

Hear me out!

One of our most valuable senses is often indirectly damaged by diabetes, but there are many ways to protect your ears from this destruction by simply providing proper care.

Type 2 diabetes can increase the rate of hearing loss by TWO TIMES the normal amount!

Although it is not certain as to why, because hearing loss tends to be gradual and occurs in older age groups, there is a connection between high blood sugar and increasing nerve damage in the ears- which doctors say is a probable cause.

Signs of Hearing Loss:

1. Thinking other people are quieter or harder to understand than they are.
2. Turning up the volume to an uncomfortable level for others around you.
3. Having a hard time following a conversation in a loud environment… or a quiet one.
4. Being unable to hear someone if they are not facing you.
5. Hearing buzzing or ringing sounds in your ears.
6. To protect your hearing before further development of these signs, schedule a visit with an audiologist and talk about your concerns and options.

Tips for Protecting Your Ears:

1. Keep control of your blood sugar by checking and exercising regularly.
2. Eat meals packed with healthy nutrients that are low in fat and salt.
3. Reduce loud noise exposure by wearing ear coverings in loud settings.
4. Keep volumes lower on TV and radios, especially if using headphones.
5. Don’t put things inside your ears to clean them, clean your ears only on the outside.
6. Get check-ups for your ears by an audiologist or general doctor if you have concerns.

It is important to follow these tips and treat any concerns you may have with your diabetes and hearing immediately, before symptoms appear or persist!