Hearing loss is often associated with ear trauma from experiences like very loud noises, but it can also be associated with some medical conditions.
Hearing loss, either temporary or permanent, can have a huge impact on your daily life. It can make it more difficult to do things you enjoy, hurt your relationships with people around you, and even make it more likely that you trip and fall, due to diminished spatial awareness. Hearing loss is often associated with ear trauma from experiences like very loud noises, but it can also be associated with some medical conditions. This is referred to as comorbidity, and it simply means that if you have these medical conditions, you also have an increased chance of associated hearing loss.
Diabetes
Hearing loss is nearly twice as common in adults who suffer from diabetes as it is in adults who do not. While the connection is not completely known, it is possible that this is caused by changes to the inner ear that are caused by prolonged rates of high blood sugar. Whatever the reason, people with diabetes should pay attention to their hearing and talk to their audiologist if they notice hearing loss or changes in their ability to hear.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is another medical condition that is associated with hearing loss. In fact, nearly 54% of American adults with chronic kidney failure also have hearing loss. This connection may be due to the presence of toxins in the body related to kidney failure. The kidneys are the body’s mechanism for removing most toxins, so if they aren’t working properly, those toxins may be what cause damage and hearing loss.
Heart Disease
Finally, heart disease is another condition that shows comorbidity with hearing loss. The inner ear is highly sensitive to blood flow, so this may be why there is a higher chance of experiencing hearing loss when you also have heart disease. There is also a connection between some medications and hearing loss, so it is important to talk to your doctors about the side effects you should be aware of.
Contact Bay Area Audiology Today!
Ready to change the way you look at hearing loss? Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology, and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment, with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
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