Diabetes & Other Health Conditions That Can Cause Hearing Loss

Studies reveal that you are twice as likely to struggle with hearing loss if you have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. This fact is surprising for people who think of hearing loss as a problem associated with growing old or noise trauma. In 2010, 1.9 million people were diagnosed with diabetes and nearly 500,000 of them were under the age of 44. Evidence reveals that 250,000 of those younger people who have the disease probably suffer from some form on hearing loss.

A person’s hearing can be impaired by several diseases other than diabetes. Growing old is a significant factor both in disease and loss of hearing but what is the link between these disorders and ear health? Consider some illnesses that can lead to loss of hearing.

Diabetes

It is uncertain why people with diabetes have a higher incidence of hearing loss or even if diabetes is connected to hearing loss, but the clinical research does point in that direction. People who have 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 scientists don’t have a definitive reason as to why this takes place, there are some theories. It is feasible 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 influence circulation.

Meningitis

This infectious disease causes hearing loss. Meningitis by definition is inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain, normally due to infection. Studies show that 30 percent of people will lose their hearing in part or in full if they develop this condition. This infection is the second most common reason for hearing loss in the American youth.

The delicate nerves which send signals to the inner ear are potentially damaged by meningitis. The brain has no way to interpret sound without these signals.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella name that covers conditions that involve the heart or blood vessels. Some normal diseases in this category include:

• Heart attack
• Peripheral artery disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure

Commonly, cardiovascular diseases tend to be associated with age-related hearing loss. Injury can easily happen to the inner ear. Damage 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 have an increased risk of losing their hearing if they have this condition. A separate study found that chance to be as high as 43 percent. However, this connection might be a coincidence. There are many of the same risk factors with kidney disease and other ailments associated with high blood pressure.

Another hypothesis is that the toxins that build-up in the blood as a result of kidney failure could be the cause. The connection that the nerves have with the brain might be closed off due to damage to the ear by these toxins.

Dementia

The connection between hearing loss and dementia goes both ways. A person’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease appears to be increased by cognitive deterioration. Brain shrinkage and atrophy are the causes of dementia. Trouble hearing can accelerate that process.

The flip side of the coin is true, as well. Someone 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. Loss of hearing might impact both ears or only one side. The reason why this happens is the virus damages the cochlea in the inner ear. Signals are sent to the brain by this part of the ear. The positive thing is, due to vaccination mumps are relatively rare nowadays. Not everyone will suffer from loss of hearing if they get the mumps.

Chronic Ear Infections

Treatment clears up the occasional ear infection so it’s not very risky for the majority of people. However, the small bones of the inner ear or the eardrum can be seriously damaged by constantly recurring ear infections. When sound cannot reach the inner ear with enough energy 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.

Prevention is the key to avoiding many of the diseases that can cost you your hearing. 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.