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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
We often talk about the consequences of diabetes on the heart, eyes, kidneys… But not often on hearing. However, the disease, by attacking the small vessels of the inner ear, could be the cause of hearing loss in patients who suffer from it.
This is at least the hypothesis put forward by the American Diabetes Association, but the link has not yet been formally established. However, the association still splits a press release warning against the consequences of diabetes on hearing.
Both pathologies at the same time
Indeed, many people with diabetes also suffer from hearing loss. A pathology particularly widespread throughout the world. Moreover, in the United States, more than 37 million Americans are affected by diabetes, and 34.5 million suffer from some form of hearing loss.
In addition, many people suffer from both pathologies at the same time. In fact, according to the American association, hearing loss is ” twice as common in people with diabetes as those without “.
People with prediabetes too
More worryingly, the press release also specifies that people affected by prediabetes, that is to say those whose blood sugar has not reached the level of diabetes but which is nevertheless higher than normal, present a rate of loss hearing 30% higher than in those with normal blood sugar.
For the association, the high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes may damage the small blood vessels in the inner ear, the same way diabetes can damage the eyes and kidneys “, but this phenomenon remains to be proven.
Consult a GP online
A person with hearing loss is not always aware of their condition. To recognize if someone around you has hearing loss, certain behaviors can help you.
Here are some telltale signs:
- The person had difficulty following a conversation with several people, beyond two people;
- The person listens to television at a noise level that is disturbing to those around him;
- The person frequently asks you to repeat what you say;
- The person does not hear someone calling them or their phone when they are in another room.
These symptoms are likely a sign of hearing loss and need to be taken care of quickly. It is therefore important to make an appointment with your doctor who can send you to consult an ENT quickly.