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Many people live with type 2 diabetes for several years without knowing it. But according to a doctor, a physical change that you pay little attention to, or too late, could nevertheless give you a warning. Here’s which one.
In France, four million people have type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by the presence of excess sugar in the blood which creates multiple complications. In reality, this figure is probably underestimated: many people also live with the disease without knowing it. You still need to know the symptoms that may indicate it.
A little-known symptom revealed by an audiologist
Among the common symptoms that we know of type 2 diabetes today and which may concern you, we find in particular:
- An increased need to urinate;
- An increase in thirst;
- An unexplained decrease in weight while appetite increases;
- Fatigue;
- Itching in the genitals;
- Very slow healing of a wound;
- Blurred vision;
- More frequent infections.
It is precisely these symptoms that will give you the idea to consult. But in the English daily Daily MailRob Ormerod, audiologist, reveals a completely different sign that can put you on edge, without knowing it: hearing problems or hearing loss can also be a sign of the disease.
Why does type 2 diabetes affect hearing?
A priori, the link between diabetes and hearing is not obvious. However, as the specialist explains, there is a rather simple physical reason for this change.
“The high and low blood sugar levels faced by diabetics can impact the blood circulation and damage the blood vessels in your inner ear, affecting the nerve signals your ear receives.”
According to him, people with diabetes have twice the risk of hearing loss, compared to the rest of the population. A risk that is poorly detected, since hearing loss is also a sign of age.
“Hearing loss can be difficult to detect because it tends to happen gradually, but if you have trouble following conversations and find yourself turning up the volume on your devices, it may be due to deterioration in your hearing “specifies Rob Ormerod.
Infections and tinnitus can also be indicative
This is not the only consequence on your ears: “Diabetics are more likely to get ear infectionsindicates the audiologist. This is due to reduced blood flow to your ears, which can in turn reduce the strength of your immune system and your ability to fight infections.”.
Tinnitus can also be caused by diabetes. “The inner ear, or cochlea, depends on oxygen and blood sugar to function effectively. Diabetes having a direct impact on blood glucose levels due to abnormal levels ofinsulinthis can have an effect on the cochlea and lead to tinnitus” he continues.
Can you protect your ears from type 2 diabetes?
What to do to protect your ears from possible type 2 diabetes? It is difficult to avoid all the consequences, especially since these signs can be the result of other pathologies. On the other hand, the doctor pleads for better care of ears, hearing and responsible behavior. Therefore, he advises avoiding using cotton swabs to clean your ears, so as not to increase the risk of earwax blockages. He also recommends using earplugs when swimming, to reduce the risk of ear infections.
Finally, if you have any symptoms of hearing loss or hearing problems, you should naturally consult a health professional fairly quickly. Diabetes or not, this is not a symptom you should ignore.
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