With the holiday gatherings right around corner, most diabetics carefully watch their serving sizes. But did you know there is a link between diabetes and the social side of your life? Based on a recent study from the National Institutes of Health, hearing impairment was found to be twice as common among people with diabetes.
For reasons still unknown, it appears that high blood-glucose levels are associated with damage to the tiny blood vessels in your inner ear.
Hearing Loss By The Numbers
A study of over 11,000 adults showed that diabetes and hearing loss are linked as early as age 30. And the link between diabetes and hearing loss was actually greater in individuals 60 or younger. According to the results, those under the age of 60 were over 2.5 times more likely to have some level of hearing loss.
Most diabetics fall under the category of type 2, which results from a defect in the way the body produces or uses insulin. Type 2 diabetes generally occurs in people over 40, and more commonly if you are born with the gene for it or are overweight and living a couch-potato life. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and a startling 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes. That’s a rate of hearing loss 30 percent higher than those with normal blood-glucose levels.
An Audiologist Can Help
With all of the holiday cheer about to happen, if you or a loved one is diabetic and haven’t discussed hearing loss we urge you to contact us right away. Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear is irreversible. Checkups with an audiologist can help prevent the adverse problems of progressive hearing loss, including: struggle with communicating at work, trouble hearing in crowded settings, or difficulties communicating socially.
If you or a loved one has diabetes, there are more reasons than ever to watch your hearing health and we can help. Call us today to set up an appointment with ouraudiologistat Los Gatos Audiology for a FREEhearing screening. We’ve served San Jose and the Bay Area for over 40 years, providing the right solution for Your Life. Your Style.
Los Gatos Audiology 15899 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., Suite 8 Los Gatos, CA 95032
For an appointment please call (408) 354-1312 or visit www.losgatosaudiology.com