Protecting the Ears against Diabetes-Related Hearing Loss

Fortunately, hearing loss is not inevitable among people with diabetes, and there are ways to prevent it. The most important step is to maintain good blood sugar control. This includes taking any prescribed medications, portion control, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Not only will you protect your hearing, but you’ll also enjoy many other overall health benefits.

Another way to prevent diabetes-related hearing loss is to avoid smoking. Smoking speeds up hearing loss by itself, but when combined with other hearing loss factors like uncontrolled diabetes, it acts like a multiplier. Current smokers should talk to their doctors about interventions that may help them to quit.

Currently, there are no official recommendations for hearing screenings for people with diabetes. People living with the disease should be sure to have their progress managed by a doctor regularly and discuss any signs of hearing loss immediately.