In America, it is estimated that 26 million people have diabetes and over 34 million people suffer from hearing loss. Statistics indicate that many people suffer from both. Studies have reported that people with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss as those who do not have diabetes. Additionally, those who show early signs of diabetes are 30 percent more likely to have hearing loss than those who are free from the disease. While no definite conclusions have been made, researchers believe that high glucose levels may cause problems with the blood vessels of the inner ear. If you have diabetes, you may want to check for hearing loss.

How do you determine if you are suffering from hearing loss?

You can start your investigation right away by asking yourself these questions.

  1. Do I often accuse others of mumbling?

You’ve probably had an older relative accuse you of this when you were younger. If you are now doing this, it is a safe bet that you need to address your hearing.

  1. Do I always seem to be asking people to repeat what they’ve said?

If you find yourself doing this often, it may be an indicator of hearing loss. Sounds simple, right? You may not even notice this behavior. Ask a family member about this.

  1. Do I frequently find conversations with a group confusing or frustrating?

If so, it’s a sign that you are having a hard time giving your best hearing attention to more than one speaker.

  1. Do people often say I have the television or radio too loud?

Hearing loss is gradual, and you may not even notice. Having the volume up higher than is comfortable for others is a good sign that your hearing may be suffering.

  1. Do I have difficulty hearing in noisy or busy situations?

Background noise can be difficult, even for those with perfect hearing. This is even worse if you are suffering from hearing loss.

  1. Are conversations with children and women difficult to hear?

Women and children tend to speak at higher frequencies. The ability to hear high frequencies is often the first to be impaired.

What to do if you suspect you have hearing loss.

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you should seek out help from a professional. Affordable hearing aids are available with good in home trial program. Your primary care physician is a good place to start. You may be referred to an audiologist or other hearing specialists who have trained to assess your situation and make conclusions about any care you may need to address hearing loss.

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