By Dr. Ava Rhodes, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology/Ear Nerd
November is American Diabetes Month—a time when healthcare professionals across the country come together to raise awareness about diabetes and its impact on health. Most people know diabetes can affect the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves. But there’s one connection that often flies under the radar: diabetes and hearing loss.
As an audiologist, I see firsthand how these two conditions overlap, and November is the perfect opportunity to spread the word. If you or someone you love is living with diabetes, getting your hearing checked is more important than you might think.
The Surprising Link Between Diabetes and
Hearing Loss
Research shows that people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss compared to those without the condition. Even people with prediabetes—when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes—have a 30% higher rate of hearing loss.
Why does this happen? High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, the very structures responsible for translating sound into signals your brain understands. Over time, this damage makes it harder to pick up on certain sounds, especially high-pitched voices or conversations in noisy places.
Just as diabetes silently affects the eyes or kidneys before symptoms appear, hearing loss often develops gradually. Many people don’t realize it’s happening until family and friends start noticing first.
Hearing Loss: More Than an Inconvenience
Some might shrug off hearing changes as “just part of getting older.” But hearing health is whole-body health. Untreated hearing loss is linked to social isolation, depression, balance issues, and even cognitive decline and dementia. For people with diabetes—who already face higher risks in these areas—ignoring hearing loss can make life even more challenging.
Think about it this way: If diabetes already asks you to pay close attention to your body—monitoring blood sugar, watching your diet, exercising regularly— shouldn’t hearing health also be part of the checklist?
After all, communication is at the heart of every healthy relationship, whether it’s with your doctor, your spouse, or your friends.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you’re living with diabetes or prediabetes, pay attention to these common early signs of hearing loss:
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
• Struggling to hear in restaurants or group settings.
• Turning up the TV or radio louder than others prefer.
• Feeling like people are mumbling when they speak.
• Avoiding social activities because conversations are frustrating.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time for a hearing test.
A Naples Perspective
Here in Naples, life is full of opportunities to connect—whether it’s volunteering, attending concerts, enjoying dinner on Fifth Avenue, or playing golf with friends. But background noise is everywhere, and hearing changes can make these joyful activities feel exhausting.
I’ve met patients who avoided book clubs because they couldn’t keep up with the discussion, or who stopped going out to dinner because restaurant chatter drowned out their companions. The good news is, with proper hearing care, these challenges don’t have to limit you.
Why November Is the Perfect Time
American Diabetes Month is about taking stock of your health. It’s the time when doctors, educators, and communities remind us that proactive steps make all the difference. Adding a hearing test to your November health checklist is simple, painless, and can make a meaningful impact.
At Decibels Audiology, we offer complimentary hearing tests that take less than an hour. For patients with diabetes, this is a valuable opportunity to catch small changes early—before they interfere with your lifestyle or relationships.
Today’s Solutions Are Better Than Ever
If hearing changes are discovered, today’s hearing technology is worlds away from what many people imagine. Modern devices are discreet, comfortable, and designed to adapt automatically to different environments. Some even connect directly to your phone or TV, stream music, or track your activity levels.
For someone already managing diabetes, the goal is to make life simpler—not more complicated. That’s why we tailor solutions to fit your routine, your budget, and your health needs.
Prevention and Protection
While diabetes increases the risk of hearing loss, there are steps you can take to protect your hearing health:
• Keep your blood sugar levels within your target range.
• Stay physically active to promote good circulation.
• Avoid smoking, which compounds blood vesseldamage.
• Limit exposure to loud noises, such as concerts or power tools.
• Get your hearing checked annually, just like your eyes and teeth.
These small steps can make a big difference in protecting your hearing for years to come.
Diabetes affects millions of Americans, and here in Naples, many of our friends and neighbors are living with it. But while people are quick to get their eyes checked or their feet examined, hearing is often left out of the conversation. This November, let’s change that.
At Decibels Audiology, we’re here to help you hear—and live—your best. Call us today to schedule your complimentary hearing test, and make hearing health part of your diabetes care plan.
Call today and schedule your complimentary hearing test and consultation.
Helping Southwest Florida hear better for over 15 years!
239-325-0596
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