Diabetes
It’s no coincidence that hearing loss and diabetes are two of America’s most common health concerns—nearly 30 million people have diabetes in the U.S., and 34.5 million people have some degree of hearing loss. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop hearing loss than people who do not have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association.
While the exact reason is unknown, researchers believe that diabetes may damage the nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear. People with diabetes can protect their hearing by carefully monitoring and managing their glucose levels, according to Erika Woodson, MD, the medical director of Cleveland Clinic’s Hearing Implant Program.
