{"id":211283,"date":"2025-05-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horendgoed.nl\/geen-onderdeel-van-een-categorie\/hearing-loss-in-people-with-diabetes-whats-the-connection\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T23:01:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T21:01:35","slug":"hearing-loss-in-people-with-diabetes-whats-the-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horendgoed.nl\/en\/news\/hearing-loss-in-people-with-diabetes-whats-the-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearing loss in people with diabetes: what’s the connection?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Those with diabetes often pay close attention to blood sugar levels, nutrition and medication. But there is one body part that is still sometimes overlooked: the ear. Yet more and more research shows that people with diabetes have an increased risk of hearing loss. What exactly is this about? And what can you do to keep your hearing healthy for as long as possible? <\/p>\n\n

In this blog, we dive into the link between diabetes and hearing loss. What does the science say? What do you notice about it in practice? And most importantly, how can you take action yourself? <\/p>\n\n

Hearing loss more common in people with diabetes<\/h2>\n\n

It may not be a well-known fact, but several studies show that people with diabetes have hearing loss twice as often<\/strong> as those without diabetes. And it\u2019s not just the elderly: younger people with diabetes are also at increased risk. <\/p>\n\n

Symptoms vary. Some people notice difficulty with high-pitched sounds or conversations in a crowded room. Others hear less well in one ear, or experience a constant beep or noise(tinnitus<\/a>). In many cases, it begins insidiously \u2013 sometimes taking years for a person to realize that something is really wrong. <\/p>\n\n

How can diabetes affect your hearing?<\/h2>\n\n

The link between diabetes and hearing loss is complex, but there are some clear indications from research:<\/p>\n\n

1. Damage to blood vessels<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The capillaries in your inner ear are very small and fragile. In people with diabetes, these capillaries can be damaged by fluctuations in blood sugar levels<\/strong> or long-term high blood sugars. As a result, blood flow becomes less good and the cilia in the inner ear do not get enough oxygen \u2013 resulting in hearing damage. <\/p>\n\n

2. Nerve damage (neuropathy).<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Just as diabetes can cause nerve damage in the hands and feet (neuropathy), the nerves in your ear<\/strong> can also be affected. Those nerves are important for transmitting sound signals from the ear to the brain. When those signals don\u2019t get through properly, you hear less \u2013 even if your ear seems to be functioning \u201cfine. <\/p>\n\n

3. Inflammation and metabolism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Chronic inflammation and disruptions in metabolism \u2013 which are more common in diabetes \u2013 can affect the entire body, including the hearing system. Consider inflammatory reactions that affect the inner ear structure or processes that reduce the elasticity of the eardrum. <\/p>\n\n

What are signs of hearing loss?<\/h2>\n\n

Hearing loss rarely comes suddenly \u2013 often it is a gradual process. Note the following signs: <\/p>\n\n