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.