Are Diabetes And Hearing Loss Related?

The body tries to fight anything that tries to disease and damage it. This does not mean that we are indestructible. We aren’t the cartoons we watched as kids. A man can’t walk away from the most deadly of incidents like it’s nothing.

Two such illnesses that may come about is diabetes and hearing loss. The two may seem like an unlikely pair that many think have no connection whatsoever. Studies may make you change your mind. Research has shown that this duo may have a link that we’ve yet to understand.

Diabetes

If you aren’t familiar with this condition, it comes from having too much sugar within your blood. There is debate about whether sugar causes this or if it only promotes this. There are other factors in play that contribute to this sickness. One thing we do know is that being overweight increases your likelihood of having this. Consuming high amounts of sugar without using it will end up adding more pounds. This could be something to look into.

Diabetes can cause abnormal fatigue and thirst. It also raises the risk of having heart problems and complications with other organs of the body. Wounds and cuts also heal at a very slow rate. The consequences differ between the two main kinds of this which are type 1, and type 2.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss comes at varying degrees. It means you have a hard time perceiving sound. You do not hear as well as a regular person should. This may hinder you from interacting with others. It can also prevent you from performing well at your job. It can take a toll on a person’s social life and emotional health. It could also speed up the deterioration of the mental capacities.

The Association

The exact connection between hearing loss and diabetes is still unknown. Research has found that diabetics are two times more likely to have some type of hearing loss. Results show that there is a relationship when including the factors affecting hearing. This includes age, race, ethnicity, income level, noise exposure, and certain medications.

The huge amounts of sugar in the blood harms the cardiovascular system. This manages the flow of blood around the body. It may also mean that this impacts its supply to the inner ear which depends on blood. Another probable cause would be the damage that sugar creates. It expands the vessels found within the auditory system.

Don’t fear though. You can avoid this by eating healthier and cutting down on high-sugar foods and drinks. You should not remove it from your diet though but rather take recommended amounts of it only. Fruits are an excellent source of good sugar. Incorporate your lifestyle with a workout regimen and you’re good to go. Also see a licensed audiologist on a regular basis. We at Chicago Beltone love to help patients keep their hearing health up to par. Call us at (800) 900-6187 to set a consultation.