Unbalanced and unregulated blood sugar levels and flow cause damage to the blood vessels in your inner ear, affecting the nerve signals
In India, there are estimated 77 million people above the age of 18 years suffering from type 2 diabetes and nearly 25 million are prediabetics. However, more than half may not even know they have it. According to experts, changes in your hearing can be a warning sign you are living with the condition.
Even though type 2 diabetes is mostly associated with those over 40 years of age, most youngsters are now being diagnosed with the condition. It is extremely important to manage the condition to prevent long-term damage to your blood vessels, nerves, and organs.
Doctors say unbalanced and unregulated blood sugar levels and flow cause damage to the blood vessels in your inner ear, affecting the nerve signals.
Three ways diabetes shows symptoms in your ears
According to doctors, if you have been having these three important symptoms often, you may be a diabetic.
Recurrent infections
While having an ear infection can be due to many reasons, an onset of type 2 diabetes is one among them.
According to experts, poor blood flow makes you prone to ear infections as it lowers your immunity levels – and if not checked initially, they become more chronic, and aggressive treatments may be needed. Chronic ear infections may eventually require surgeries involving the ear.
High blood sugar levels also damage the nerves and small blood vessels in the inner ear. Doctors suggest following a few general best practice guidelines for preventing ear infections like not putting cotton wool buds into your ear and using earplugs when going swimming.
Tinnitus
Even though it is typically not a symptom of type 2 diabetes, it does appear that high blood sugar levels can aggravate the condition – which happens when you hear sounds when there is no external source. It can sound like ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing, humming, or whistling.
Doctors say diabetes has a direct impact on glucose levels in your blood because of abnormal insulin levels – which also have an effect on the cochlea and result in tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be a side effect of hearing loss, and diabetes can cause issues with your hearing and sense of balance.
Hearing loss
While it is mostly understood as a natural side effect of ageing, hearing loss can also be caused due to various other issues – including type 2 diabetes.
According to doctors, hearing loss is a slow-setting condition and so, is difficult to detect. However, if you have been having following conversations and find yourself turning the volume up on your devices – it may be down to a deterioration of your hearing.
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