Q&A ASK RACHEL

During my recent telehealth consultation with my diabetes educator, he suggested I might get my hearing checked as I was finding it difficult to hear at times through the computer, but my wife could hear everything he was saying. Is hearing loss related to diabetes?

Rachel says: There are some studies in people with type 2 that show normal hearing during early stages of diabetes, whereas 30 per cent of people who had type 2 for longer had some hearing loss. It has been found that the prevalence of hearing loss was significantly higher in people with, than without, diabetes.

Hearing experts report that both type 1 and type 2 can influence many factors that are integral to overall functioning of the ear and the auditory pathway. These can include both metabolic changes and microvascular complications. The impact of diabetes on hearing appears varied and complex. Diabetes can impact on cochlear function, auditory nerve function or a combination of both. It is important you have your hearing checked, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of hearing decline. ■