| According to the Better Hearing Institute, there are | | | | home or in their place of employment to prevent |
| about 34.5 million people with hearing loss in the United | | | | further damage. The damage from diabetes occurs in |
| States. Some common causes for hearing loss include | | | | the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear. |
| noise exposure, age, family history, and diabetes. | | | | Diabetes also leads to heart disease and stroke which |
| According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), a | | | | can also lead to damage to the inner ear. Physicians |
| person with diabetes is twice as likely to have hearing | | | | should be encouraging patients to get their hearing |
| difficulty as someone who does not suffer from the | | | | tested if they have diabetes or at risk for developing |
| disease. | | | | the disease. This should be considered just as |
| Studies show that as much as 54% of subjects with | | | | important as vision screenings or other screenings |
| diabetes have a mild or greater high frequency loss as | | | | performed for patients with diabetes. |
| compared to 32% of subjects without diabetes. Also, | | | | People with diabetes should have regular hearing |
| those with pre-diabetes are at greater risk (30% | | | | evaluations to identify potential damage to the inner |
| higher) for hearing damage as compared to those | | | | ear. If identified early then the appropriate treatment |
| without the disease. If someone with diabetes has | | | | can be implemented. There are several products that |
| been exposed to loud noise or have a family history of | | | | can assist someone suffering from even a mild |
| hearing loss then the chances of having a loss is quite | | | | hearing loss. Some of those include amplified |
| high. | | | | telephones, TV listening devices, and even hearing aids |
| It is recommended that someone with the disease | | | | for those noticing a significant deficit in their hearing. |
| protect their ears when they are exposed to noise at | | | | |