There are many ways you expect to experience hearing loss. Sometimes it’s age-related. Or, maybe loud noise exposure. But, here are 3 medical conditions that can cause hearing loss.
1. Diabetes
According to the CDC, 9.4% of the U.S. population have diabetes. In addition, 33.9% of the adults in the U.S. population are pre-diabetic. So, while you may be worried about your glucose levels, there is another condition you are at high risk of: hearing loss.
Diabetics are twice as likely to develop hearing loss than others without diabetes. And, even if you don’t have diabetes yet, are pre-diabetic, that doesn’t make you safe. Pre-diabetics still have a 30% higher chance of developing hearing loss as opposed to other people with normal glucose levels.
2. Obesity
Next, obesity can also cause hearing loss. How does your weight affect your hearing? Well, a study showed findings that there was a direct correlation between your risk of hearing loss and weight. As your body fat and waist increased, your rate of risk also increased.
3. Heart Disease
Lastly, heart disease can play a role in increasing your risk of hearing loss. One reason is because the inner ear is sensitive to changes in the way the blood flows through your body. When heart disease changes the way your blood flows, or causes damage to the blood vessels, there can be corresponding damage to the inner ear.
Another study suggests the reason for a correlation between heart disease and hearing loss is because of gene mutation. Scientists found that eye4, a gene mutation, had many different functions.
Conversely, genes are normally coded for individual tasks. But, this mutation may have something to do with both hearing loss and heart disease because it is coded with many different functions. So, if this mutation handles certain heart and ear functions, when it doesn’t work properly neither the ear or heart will either.
Final Thoughts
If you have one of these 3 medical conditions that can cause hearing loss, it is important to take precautions. Pay attention to signs of hearing loss. Keep your glucose levels under control. Try to lose that extra weight. And, keep your hearing screening appointments.
