Hearing Loss is Common in People with Diabetes

 

National Institutes of Health (NIH) new research found that hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes. The NIH study found a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes. Diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear, the researchers suggest. Autopsy studies of diabetes patients have shown evidence of such damage.

The inner ear consists of the cochlea that is a highly vascular structure that connects to the auditory nerve or cranial nerve eight. Because the diease of diabetes damages the nerves and blood vessels of the cochlea, the cochlea is unable to do its job of coding acoustic signals into electrical signals, which is the language of the brain. This results in a hearing loss.

At Echo Hearing Center, we recommend a base line hearing test for all individuals with diabetes. We believe by improving hearing we can improve quality of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Institutes of Health, www. nih.gov