Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Hearing Loss and Diabetes

Afflicting nearly 21 million people in the United States, diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, and the most common cause of blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputations in adults.

Recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found hearing loss to be about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those without the disease.  Diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear.  "Hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes,” according to author Catherine Cowie, Ph.D.  “Our study found a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes using a number of different outcomes." You may find out if you have hearing loss by contacting our Lafayette Indiana hearing loss Audiologist, Sandy Bratton, AuD
 
Currently, there is no recommendation for hearing loss screenings in a diabetes care regimen.  Awareness is key in discovering diabetic patients who suffer from hearing loss and many doctors do not recommend a hearing test at the annual checkup of diabetic patients.  It’s important for those with diabetes to take an active role in their health care and seek treatment for any associated conditions for which they may be at risk.  Please contact our Hearing Aid Lafayette Indiana Audiologist at 888-888-3499.


Source: http://www.betterhearing.org/press/news/Diabetes_and_hearing_loss_risk_pr030811.cfm

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