THE ESSENTIAL
- Diabetes can degrade the quality of hearing.
- Changes in blood sugar affect the blood vessels in the ear, which can cause hearing problems.
- People with diabetes are also more prone to ear infections and tinnitus.
Around four million people have type 2 diabetes in France, according to the Ministry of Health. But this figure could be much higher. Some people live with the disease for several years without knowing it. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can sometimes be confused with those of other pathologies. In the Daily MailRob Ormerod, audiologist, indicates that hearing problems can be a sign of the disease.
How does type 2 diabetes impact hearing health?
“The high and low blood sugar levels experienced by diabetics can impact blood flow and damage the blood vessels in your inner ear, affecting the nerve signals your ear receives.”explains this specialist to the British media. According to him, people with diabetes have twice the risk of hearing loss compared to the rest of the population.
Diabetes has different effects on hearing health
“Hearing loss can be difficult to detect because it tends to happen gradually, but if you have trouble following conversations and find yourself turning up the volume on your devices, it may be due to deterioration in your hearing “he specifies. Rob Ormerod adds that the disease can have other consequences on the ears. “Diabetics are more likely to get ear infectionsindicates the audiologist. This is due to reduced blood flow to your ears, which can in turn reduce the strength of your immune system and your ability to fight infections“Tinnitus, a ringing sound that can be heard even in quiet surroundings, can also be caused by diabetes.”The inner ear, or cochlea, depends on oxygen and blood sugar to function effectively, he indicates in the Daily Mail. As diabetes has a direct impact on blood glucose levels due to abnormal insulin levels, this can have an effect on the cochlea and lead to tinnitus.”
Type 2 diabetes: how to protect your ears?
Faced with this risk of hearing problems, the specialist gives several tips. First, he reminds you that you should avoid using cotton swabs to clean your ears, as this increases the risk of creating earwax blockages and damaging your eardrums. Also, he recommends using earplugs when swimming, to reduce the risk of ear infection. If you experience symptoms of hearing loss or hearing problems, you should consult a healthcare professional.
