Hearing loss is twice as common with people having diabetes than those who don’t suffer from this chronic condition. Diabetes can affect numerous organs of your body, including your ears, therefore tampering with your hearing ability. Diabetes hearing loss is associated with people in the age group of 40-60 years.
How is hearing loss related to diabetes?
It is not unfamiliar for a person having diabetes to experience hearing loss. Diabetes can damage the nerves in your ears. Over a period of time, high levels of blood sugar can damage the nerves and small blood vessels in your inner ear. Even low blood sugar levels can tamper with the nerve signals that travel from your inner ear to your brain. Both the types of damages can be detrimental to your hearing ability.
Other factors related to hearing loss
Hearing loss can be caused by factors other than diabetes. These factors include
- Ageing
- Genetics
- Collection of fluid in the ear
- Chronic ear infections
- Loud noise which can cause trauma to the ear
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Chronic diseases
How to prevent hearing loss, being a diabetic?
Hearing loss cannot be reversed but you can take the following steps if you wish to protect your ears, while having diabetes-
- Keep a tab on your blood sugar levels
It is only when your sugar levels are under control, you can prevent the situation from aggravating and leading to hearing loss. Monitoring is the key to managing your diabetes. Know your level of blood sugar and optimise your diet and lifestyle accordingly.
- Get your ears examined, once a year
It is imperative. to get your ears examined at least once a year because only then will you be able to ascertain the damage to your ears and take the rectifying measures.
- Avoid loud noises and spaces
Loud noises can damage or overwork the hair cells in your inner ear. Therefore, it is advisable for people with diabetes to avoid loud spaces and listen to their music at a moderate or low volume.
- Examine your medicines
Certain anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics can also affect your hearing ability. Take your dosage of daily medicines only after consulting with your doctor and do not forget to check their expiration date.
How to amend hearing loss?
The effects of hearing loss cannot be permanently repaired but it is possible to temporarily ease them. You can use wearable personal devices such as Hearing Aids, Assistive Listening Devices, Cochlear Implants, etc.
Being a diabetic, it is important that you follow all the recommendations given by your health coach to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Keep a tab on your sugar levels and also, do not forget to get an yearly examination of your ears. Take all the preventive measures to keep your health in check.
