{"id":2371,"date":"2022-11-14T19:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T00:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/negaent.fm1.dev\/?p=2371"},"modified":"2023-04-24T19:09:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T23:09:17","slug":"does-hearing-loss-have-a-connection-to-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/negaent.com\/does-hearing-loss-have-a-connection-to-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"Does hearing loss have a connection to diabetes?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The human body is amazing. One of the intriguing aspects of how the body works is that everything is connected\u2014and one part affects all of the other parts. Researchers are still learning new ways that various body systems are connected. One connection you may not know about is that hearing loss and diabetes are linked. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How diabetes can contribute to hearing loss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Researchers believe that high blood glucose levels from untreated or poorly managed diabetes can weaken the ear\u2019s blood vessels, as well as the nerve cells (or \u201chair cells\u201d) in the inner ear. The hair cells rely on good blood circulation, just like other parts of your body. Once the hair cells are damaged or die, your hearing is permanently affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although most people are not aware of the connection between diabetes and hearing loss, studies make it clear that both conditions are common and often go hand-in-hand. One study by the National Institutes of Health revealed that people with diabetes are more than twice as likely<\/a> to have mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss than those without diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This finding was confirmed by researchers who conducted a meta-analysis<\/a> of 13 studies involving more than 20,000 participants. They found that diabetics are more likely to have hearing loss than those without the disease, regardless of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How diabetes and balance are connected<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes can affect your balance as well. This is because diabetes can damage small blood vessels in your inner ear and your vestibular system, which is the part of your ear that helps with balance. As a result, you may be at a greater risk for dizziness and falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to protect your hearing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you cannot stop the connection between diabetes and hearing loss, you can do your part to manage your diabetes and protect your hearing. Here are a few ways you can do so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n