Studies show that you are twice as likely to struggle with hearing loss if you have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. That may surprise those of you who immediately associate hearing loss with aging or noise damage. In 2010, 1.9 million people were diagnosed with diabetes and almost 500,000 of them were under the age of 44. Some kind of hearing loss likely impacts at least 250,000 of the younger people with this disease.
The point is that diabetes is only one of several conditions which can cost a person their hearing. Getting old is a considerable factor both in sickness and loss of hearing but what is the link between these conditions and ear health? Give some thought to some illnesses that can lead to hearing loss.
Diabetes
It is uncertain why people with diabetes have a higher incidence of hearing loss or even if diabetes is related to hearing loss, but the clinical research does point in that direction. People with prediabetes, a condition that implies they may develop type 2 diabetes, tend to lose their hearing 30 percent faster than those with normal blood sugar levels.
While there are some theories, researchers still don’t understand why this occurs. It is possible that harm to the blood vessels that feed the inner ear could be caused by high glucose levels. That’s a realistic assumption since diabetes is known to affect circulation.
Meningitis
Hearing loss is a symptom of this infectious disease. Because of infection, the membranes that cover the spine and brain swell up and that defines meningitis. Studies show that 30 percent of people will lose their hearing partially or completely if they get this condition. Among young people in America, this infection is the second leading cause of hearing loss.
The delicate nerves that send signals to the inner ear are potentially damaged by meningitis. Without these signals, the brain has no way of interpreting sound.
Cardiovascular Disease
Conditions that impact the heart or blood vessels are covered under the umbrella term “cardiovascular disease”. This category contains these well-known diseases:
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis
- Peripheral artery disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
Normally, cardiovascular diseases have a tendency to be associated with age-related hearing loss. The inner ear is vulnerable to damage. Injury to the inner ear causes hearing loss when there is a change in blood flow and it doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to thrive.
Chronic Kidney Disease
A 2012 study published in The Laryngoscope found that people with this condition also had an increased risk of hearing loss. A separate study found that chance to be as high as 43 percent. However, this connection could be a coincidence. Kidney disease and other conditions associated with high blood pressure or diabetes have lots of the same risk factors.
Another theory is that the toxins that collect in the blood as a result of kidney failure might be to blame. The connection that the nerves have with the brain may be closed off because of damage to the ear by these toxins.
Dementia
The link between hearing loss and dementia is a two-way street. A person’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease appears to be increased by cognitive impairment. Dementia happens due to brain atrophy and shrinkage. Trouble hearing can hasten that process.
It also works the other way around. Somebody who develops dementia even though there is normal hearing will show a decline in their hearing as damage to the brain increases.
Mumps
At an early age the viral infection mumps can cause children to lose their hearing. The reduction in hearing might be only on one side or it could affect both ears. The reason why this occurs is the virus damages the cochlea in the inner ear. It’s the part of the ear that sends signals to the brain. The positive thing is, due to vaccination mumps are fairly rare today. Not everyone will experience loss of hearing if they get the mumps.
Chronic Ear Infections
Treatment clears up the random ear infection so it’s not much of a risk for most people. For some, however, repeated infections take a toll on the tiny components that are required for hearing like the eardrum or the small bones in the middle ear. When sound cannot reach the inner ear with enough force to send signals to the brain it’s known as conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss or nerve damage can also be caused by infections.
Many of the diseases that can lead to hearing loss can be avoided by prevention. A healthy diet, plenty of exercise and regular sleep habits really help with protecting your ear health throughout your life. You should also get regular hearing exams to make sure your ears stay healthy.
