Diabetes

Diabetes

Hearing loss is twice as common among people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease that isn’t yet curable but can be managed.

Much like presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, diabetes-connected hearing issues commonly take a toll on higher-frequency hearing, potentially affecting the ability to understand speech in noisy settings such as restaurants and parties.

Diabetes-associated hearing loss could affect one or both ears, may occur suddenly or gradually, and could appear with or without balance problems of the inner ear, but routine hearing checks can help catch potential issues early.

As evidence of links between the two conditions continues to grow, it’s recommended that annual hearing evaluations be a standard for individuals with either type of diabetes.