![\"diabetes](\"https:\/\/hearingsc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/diabete-tester-768x511.jpg\" "\\"Diabetes")
<\/p>\nCharleston residents with diabetes have an increased risk of developing a variety of health complications. One of the lesser-known ones is hearing loss\u2014mostly likely a result of high glucose levels in the blood.<\/p>\n
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Diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions in South Carolina<\/strong> and across the U.S. Some 30 million American adults have been diagnosed with the disease<\/strong> and 84 million more have prediabetes, which increases their likelihood of developing diabetes within the next five years.<\/p>\n In Charleston, about one out of every ten people<\/strong> has diabetes<\/a>. Because the condition often goes undiagnosed, at least initially, many might not even be aware of their disease. <\/p>\n It\u2019s estimated that one out of every four people with diabetes doesn\u2019t even know it<\/strong>. This puts them in danger of developing a number of medical complications such as neuropathy<\/a>, heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. <\/p>\n Diabetics have a life expectancy that is 5-6 years lower than those without the disease<\/strong> simply because of the many possible health problems they\u2019ll end up facing.<\/p>\n Lesser known among these health risks is hearing loss<\/a>, but studies show a strong link between the two. People with diabetes in Charleston are twice as likely to develop hearing loss<\/strong> than their peers. <\/p>\n It\u2019s most likely to affect those between the ages of 50 and 69<\/strong>; about 70 percent of diabetics in this group are diagnosed with high-frequency hearing loss<\/strong> and one-third of them have low- or mid-frequency hearing loss. <\/p>\n Individuals with prediabetes have a 30 percent higher chance of developing hearing loss<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Health professionals aren\u2019t exactly sure of the reason for this correlation but assume that it has to do with elevated glucose levels<\/strong> in the blood that are a hallmark of diabetes. <\/p>\n Elevated glucose often causes damage to the eyes and kidneys<\/strong>; it\u2019s believed that it can also permanently damage the sensory cells of the inner ear<\/strong> that convert sounds into electrical impulses for the brain to interpret.<\/p>\n Another possibility is that the thickening of the kidney walls that often causes organ failure in diabetic patients might also affect the walls of the inner ear, since the kidneys and inner ear share a similar pathology.<\/p>\n If you have diabetes, it\u2019s imperative that you have your hearing tested<\/a> on a regular basis. Early intervention is crucial; the sooner your condition is diagnosed, the better your odds of finding an effective long-term solution. <\/p>\n Individuals who have not been diagnosed with diabetes but have a higher risk of developing it due to certain factors (family history, obesity, sedentary lifestyle) should also schedule regular hearing screenings<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information on the link between diabetes and hearing loss and steps you can take to prevent either, make an appointment with an audiologist or health care specialist<\/a> in Charleston today.<\/p>\nHow many people have diabetes in Charleston?<\/h3>\n
Diabetes impacts life expectancy<\/h4>\n
Diabetes Increases the Odds of Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n
Who does diabetes-related hearing loss affect?<\/h3>\n
Even pre-diabetes increases the chance of hearing loss<\/h4>\n
What is the link between hearing loss and diabetes?<\/h3>\n
Do you have diabetes? Make Hearing Tests a Priority<\/h2>\n
Learn more about Hearing Loss risk factors:<\/h3>\n
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Our Central Charleston Area Audiologists Office Locations<\/h3>\n