When most Indians think of diabetes, they think of blood sugar, food restrictions, and the dangers of heart disease or visual difficulties. But not many people know that diabetes can also damage your hearing. Research has shown that persons with diabetes are more prone to lose their hearing than people who don’t have diabetes.
For a country like India, often called the “diabetes capital of the world,” this connection is particularly important. Millions of Indians may be silently dealing with both conditions without realizing the link.
In this article, we will talk about the link between diabetes and hearing loss, the indications to watch out for, and things you can do to safeguard your hearing and health in general.
How Diabetes Can Cause Hearing Loss
So, what does diabetes do to your hearing?
- High blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves. Diabetes may also damage the delicate nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear, just like it affects the nerves in the eye, feet or kidneys.
- Poor circulation means less oxygen is available. For the inner ear to work well, it needs a steady flow of blood that is rich in oxygen. Circulation difficulties caused by diabetes can lower this supply, which can slowly harm your hearing.
- The issue gets worse when there is inflammation. When you have high blood sugar for a long time, it can produce inflammation in your body. This can hurt the delicate hair cells of the cochlea, which are in charge of hearing.
Diabetes puts stress on your hearing system, which makes it more likely that you may lose your hearing.
How often does this happen in India?
- There are more than 100 million individuals with diabetes in India as of 2023, and the number is growing rapidly.
- A lot of senior citizens in India already have hearing loss, but if they also have diabetes, their risk goes up almost twice as much.
- Sadly, a lot of people in India don’t pay attention to hearing problems since they think they’re just part of “normal ageing.” This implies that hearing loss caused by diabetes often remains undiagnosed and untreated.
Signs of Hearing Loss You Should not Ignore
If you or someone in your family has diabetes, keep an eye out for these early symptoms that you may have hearing problems:
- A lot of the time, you have to ask people to repeat themselves.
- It’s hard to hear in loud and crowded places like markets, family gatherings, or weddings.
- Thinking that others are “mumbling” or not speaking clearly.
- Making the TV or phone louder than what other people think it to be normal.
- Having trouble hearing the voices of women and children, which are normally higher pitched.
- You might feel exhausted after a long conversation since it requires extra effort to listen.
If you notice any of the above signs or feel any changes in your regular hearing, don’t assume it’s “just ageing.” It could be linked to your diabetes.
Why This Matters: The Double Burden of Diabetes and Hearing Loss
Having both diabetes and hearing loss can create serious challenges in daily life:
- Communications: Problems with communication make it tougher to understand what family, physicians, or coworkers are saying.
- Emotional Strain: Emotional stress that can cause anger, loneliness, or even despair.
- Safety concerns: Difficulty hearing alarms, horns, or important instructions.
- Risks to cognitive health: Untreated hearing loss has been related to memory loss and dementia.
These risks mentioned above mean that Indians with diabetes need to get their hearing checked regularly as often as their eyes or feet.
Things Indians with Diabetes Can Do to Keep Their Hearing Safe
The good news is that you can do something. There are some easy things you can do to take care of your hearing health while you have diabetes.
1. Keep your blood sugar in check.
- Do what your doctor says about your food, exercise, and medicine.
- Check your blood sugar levels often.
- You are less likely to harm your hearing if you keep your diabetes under control.
2. Set up regular hearing tests
- Make hearing examinations a regular part of your life, much like getting your eyes examined for diabetic retinopathy.
- Finding issues early helps stop them from getting worse.
3. Keep Your Ears Safe
- Stay away from loud noises, turn down the level on your headphones, and wear noise-cancelling headphones if you need to.
- Take breaks from places that are loud, including festivals, factories, or places with a lot of traffic.
4. Stay active
- Exercise promotes circulation, which is good for both your blood sugar and your hearing.
- Going on a stroll, doing yoga, or riding a bike can all help.
5. Eat a healthy diet
- Add fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants to your diet. These foods are good for your nerves and blood vessels.
- Cut back on processed meals and too much salt, which can make diabetes and hearing problems worse.
6. If you need them, think about getting hearing aids
- Hearing aids nowadays are small, pleasant, and work quite well.
- Hearing aids may make a huge difference in communication, safety, and quality of life for persons in India who have hearing loss due to diabetes.
What Hearing Aids Can Do for People with Diabetes
Because of stigma or lack of knowledge, many Indians feel hesitant to use hearing aids. But today, technology has changed greatly.
- Hearing aids are discreet (almost invisible) and smart that can be linked to your phone, TV, and even medical alerts.
- Noise-cancelling characteristics make it easier to hear in crowded situations like Indian weddings and bazaars.
- Rechargeable types are easy to use and good for the environment.
- Companies like Phonak and Signia, which you can find at SFL Hearing Solutions, make high-tech hearing aids for people with varied levels of hearing loss.
Hearing aids are not simply for better hearing for those with diabetes; they are also for better life.
Case Study: How Hearing Care Made a Difference in a Patient’s Life
For example, Mr. Ramesh is a 58-year-old businessman from Delhi. He had diabetes for 12 years, and it was getting harder for him to hear during meetings. His family assumed he was neglecting them, which made things tense at home.
A hearing test showed that he had mild hearing loss, which was probably caused by his diabetes over a lengthy period of time. Ramesh’s professional communication got better, and he also felt more confident in social situations thanks to the correct hearing aid. Later, his wife said, “It feels like we have him back.”
This is just one story, but it demonstrates how modern hearing aids and early testing can make a big difference in people’s lives.
Diabetes with Hearing Loss: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to get back hearing loss caused by diabetes?
No, hearing loss is typically permanent. But if you take care of it (by keeping your blood sugar in check and using hearing aids), it won’t become worse.
2. Do hearing tests hurt?
Not at all. They are easy, quick, and painless.
3. Should teens and young adults with diabetes also have their hearing checked?
Yes. Hearing loss does not only affect senior people. People of all ages can have hearing problems because of diabetes. Keeping your diabetes at check is needful.
4. Do hearing aids cost a lot in India?
There are a range of hearing aids for different budgets. At SFL Hearing Solutions, we help patients choose the best and cheapest solutions.
Why Awareness in India Is So Important
- A lot of Indians do not realise that diabetes can cause hearing loss.
- Many people in remote places are not aware and do not receive treatment for hearing loss.
- This may change with regular check-ups, awareness initiatives, and open talks.
Hearing health has to be a part of diabetes treatment strategies because diabetes cases are on the rise in India.
Final Thoughts
Hearing loss and diabetes may seem unrelated, but they are closely linked. If you or someone you care about has diabetes, looking after your hearing is just as important as looking after your eyes, heart, or feet.
Over time, high blood sugar can harm the tiny blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, and that damage can cause hearing to decline slowly. Because the change is often gradual, many people don’t notice it right away — which is why regular hearing checks matter.
For people in India living with diabetes, a few simple steps can make a big difference: By controlling blood sugar, getting regular hearing check-ups, and considering modern hearing aids if needed, even with diabetes many can lead healthier, more connected, and more confident lives.
Modern hearing aids are discreet and effective, and they can help you stay connected to family, work, and social life.
Taking these actions preserves not just your hearing, but your confidence, relationships, and quality of life. If you have diabetes, make hearing care part of your routine — start with a hearing screening and speak to a specialist about the best next steps.
At SFL Hearing Solutions, we believe that everyone in India should be able to hear well, even if they have diabetes. Our team offers:
- Full hearing testing for those with diabetes.
- Get professional guidance on the finest hearing aids, including Phonak and Signia.
- Individualised treatment to help you hear the sounds of life again.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call SFL Hearing Solutions now to schedule your hearing test and start on the road to better hearing health.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.
If you suspect diabetes or hearing loss, please consult a qualified doctor or audiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.