Hearing Loss Twice as Common in Diabetics

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), hearing loss is about twice as common in people with diabetes compared to those without the disease.  Yet unlike eye exams, hearing health examinations are often overlooked in the routine regimen of care for people with diabetes.  Unfortunately, the ramifications for leaving hearing loss unaddressed can be significant.  According to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), numerous studies link unmanaged hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including depression, impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, increased risk to personal safety, reduced job performance and earning power, and diminished psychological and overall health.  Kathleen L. Yaremchuk, M.D., senior study author at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, stated, "A certain degree of hearing loss is common with aging, but it is often accelerated in patients with diabetes, especially if blood-glucose levels are not being controlled.  Our study really points to the importance of patients controlling their diabetes and paying attention to their hearing health.   According to BHI, the vast majority of people with hearing loss, including those with diabetes, can benefit from hearing aids.  In fact, studies show that when people with mild-to-profound hearing loss use hearing aids, they experience decreased depressive symptoms, anxiety and emotional instability; significant improvements in quality of life and functional health status; and have significantly higher self-concepts compared to individuals with hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids. 

Relationship Found Between Hearing Loss and Dementia

Recent studies are suggesting a connection between hearing loss and dementia.  The relationship is being studied by Johns Hopkins University as well as other institutions.  Research which was published in the "Archives of Neurology", found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.  The study also found that the greater the hearing loss, the higher their likelihood of developing dementia.  The Johns Hopkins press release on the study stated that the reason for the link between the two conditions is unknown, but investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia.  They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders.  These findings have prompted the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), to recommend that all people take hearing loss seriously.  BHI encourages all people ages 50 and older to get their hearing tested by an audiologist.  Proper hearing aid use for those with hearing loss will reduce the amount of strain needed to hear and decode speech, which may reduce the likelihood of dementia.