Research supports a strong link between diabetes and hearing loss. The organs, blood vessels, and nerves in your inner ear can be impacted by your body’s inability to produce insulin, making the likelihood of experiencing hearing loss much greater for diabetics. In fact,
research done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown that individuals with diabetes have a 30% higher chance of experiencing hearing loss compared to those who don't have the disease.
How you can prevent it
Type 2 diabetes, like Type 1, can have a severe impact on an individual’s health, however Type 2 can be prevented.
Ways to help prevent Type 2 diabetes include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Increasing your physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Due to the link between diabetes and hearing loss, prioritizing your hearing health is an important step in diabetes prevention. While there is still a lot to learn about how exactly diabetes might affect your hearing, what we do know is that hearing loss won’t improve on it’s own. With the NIH’s study finding that hearing loss due to diabetes can start as early as 30 years of age, it’s important to be proactive.
How do you prioritize your hearing health?
The easiest way to start is by
getting your hearing tested. This will provide you with the information you need to approach hearing loss with confidence. By being proactive, your hearing professionals will have the chance to catch the early signs of hearing loss as soon as possible, helping you to stay connected and engaged with your lifestyle as you actively age.