Hearing Checks Recommended for People with Diabetes

According to a press release from the American College of Physicians, hearing loss in people with diabetes is higher than in people without the disease. The study that the press release is based on appears in the on-line journal, Annals of Internal Medicine.

After factoring in other causes of hearing loss, such as smoking, exposure to loud noises and some medications, hearing impairment was still more prevalent in people with diabetes.

A quote from Kathleen E. Bainbridge, PhD, lead researcher for the study, states, "It is possible that high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels and nerves of the inner ear, resulting in hearing impairment. People with diabetes might benefit from having their hearing checked.”

Vascular damage is a complication of diabetes, and can also affect kidneys, eyes, and extremities, as well as vessels in the heart.

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