[Diabetes-Talk] Living with Diabetes and Hearing Loss

David Andrews dandrews920 at comcast.net
Fri Aug 30 11:25:08 UTC 2024 

>
>Diabetes Daily - Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM
>
>
>Living with Diabetes and Hearing Loss
>
>
>
>This content originally appeared on 
><https://diatribe.org/diabetes-management/living-diabetes-and-hearing-loss>diaTribe. 
>Republished with permission.
>
>By April Hopcroft
>
>Key takeaways:
>    * People with diabetes have twice the risk 
> of experiencing hearing loss, and those with 
> prediabetes have a 30% higher risk compared to 
> people with normal blood sugar levels.
>    * To prevent hearing loss, be sure to get 
> recommended hearing screenings, keep your blood 
> sugar in target range, and use ear protection 
> at concerts and when in other loud spaces.
>    * There are tools available for people with 
> hearing loss besides hearing aids, such as 
> smartwatches with vibration alerts, assistive apps, and support groups.
>
>While many people develop some degree of hearing 
>loss as they age, people with diabetes are at a 
>higher risk for hearing loss compared to those 
>without diabetes. Indeed, a 
><https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34384902/#:~:text=Individuals%20with%20diabetes%20have%20twice,control%20remains%20to%20be%20determined.>2021 
>study found that people with diabetes develop 
>hearing loss at twice the rate of those without 
>diabetes. Compared to people with normal blood 
>sugar levels, people with prediabetes have a 30% higher rate of hearing loss.
>
>Katie Koebel, audiologist and senior manager of 
>audiology at HearingLife Canada, discussed the 
>connection between diabetes and hearing loss and 
>shared tips to protect your ears. We also spoke 
>with Yoel Krigsman, who was born deaf and has 
>type 2 diabetes, about strategies to manage both conditions.
>
>
>What causes hearing loss?
>
>
>
>Hearing loss can range from mild to severe and 
>generally falls into two main types:
>    * Conductive hearing loss happens when there 
> is a blockage (like fluid or earwax) that 
> prevents sound waves from traveling through the 
> ear. This type of hearing loss can typically be 
> managed with medication or surgery.
>    * Sensorineural hearing loss is the most 
> common type of permanent hearing loss and 
> happens when the inner ear or auditory nerve is 
> damaged by genetic conditions, aging, head 
> injuries, exposure to loud noises, medications 
> that are toxic to the ear, or certain 
> illnesses. This condition is usually managed 
> with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
>
>People can also have mixed hearing loss due to a 
>combination of conductive and sensorineural factors, Koebel noted.
>
>
>The connection between diabetes and hearing loss
>
>
>
>Researchers don’t fully understand the 
>connection between diabetes and hearing loss, 
>though Koebel noted that diabetes-related 
>hearing loss involves damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear.
>
>High blood sugar can damage the small blood 
>vessels in the ears, much like how hyperglycemia 
>damages the blood vessels in the kidney and 
>heart. Koebel said that 
><https://diatribe.org/diabetes-management/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycemia-101>hypoglycemia 
>(low blood sugar) also plays a role, as it 
>reduces the nerve signals received by your ears.
>
>Some medications can damage the inner ear and 
>cause hearing loss. This includes certain 
>diuretics (also called water pills), which are 
>used by many people with diabetes who have heart 
>failure, kidney disease, or 
><https://diatribe.org/understanding-diabetes/liver-disease-diabetes-overlooked-complication>liver 
>disease. Some common diuretics include Edicrin, Lasix, Lozide, and Bumex.
>
>If you are taking diuretics and experience 
>changes in your hearing, Koebel recommended 
>consulting with your healthcare provider and a hearing specialist.
>
>
>What ear symptoms should I be concerned about?
>
>
>
>Hearing loss often happens slowly and may be 
>hard to notice. Sometimes, your friends or 
>family may notice hearing loss before you are aware of it.
>
>Symptoms may include:
>    * Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
>    * Trouble following conversations
>    * Difficulty hearing in noisy areas, like restaurants or airplanes
>    * Trouble hearing small children and people with quieter voices
>    * Needing to increase the volume on the TV or other devices
>    * Hearing a persistent ringing in your ears
>
>If you experience any of these symptoms, consult 
>with your healthcare provider to get screened for hearing loss.
>
>
>How to prevent hearing loss
>
>
>
>A few simple steps can go a long way towards protecting your ears:
>    * Getting recommended hearing screening. The 
> American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
> <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597360/#:~:text=This%20can%20be%20accomplished%20by,those%20with%20known%20exposures%20or>recommends 
> adults without risk factors should be screened 
> once every 10 years, and every three years after age 50.
>    * Keeping your blood sugar close to 
> <https://www.timeinrange.org/>target range. 
> Increasing your time in range and reducing time 
> above and below range can help prevent damage 
> to the small blood vessels and nerves in the 
> inner ear. For instance, a 
> <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8176373/#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20patients%20with%20poor%20diabetes,001).>2021 
> study found that people with type 2 diabetes 
> with an A1C of 8% or above had a higher rate of 
> hearing loss compared to those with an A1C 
> below 8%. It’s also important to see your 
> endocrinologist and diabetes care team 
> regularly, Koebel noted, as hearing loss could 
> be a sign that you need to adjust your insulin regimen or treatment plan.
>    * Using earplugs to protect your ears at 
> concerts or other loud events. Exposure to loud 
> noise is a key risk factor for hearing loss, 
> Koebel said. In addition to concertgoers, this 
> also applies to people who work in fields like construction, she noted.
>    * Stop smoking. 
> <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32387319/>Research 
> shows that smoking is linked to a higher risk 
> of hearing loss. Plus, quitting smoking also 
> reduces your risk of heart disease, kidney 
> disease, 
> <https://diatribe.org/understanding-diabetes/hitting-nerve-introduction-neuropathy>peripheral 
> neuropathy, and lung cancer.
>
>“If you have diabetes, even if you aren’t 
>experiencing hearing loss, I recommend talking 
>to your doctor or diabetes team to ensure you 
>are following every step necessary to avoid any 
>damage to your hearing,” Koebel said.
>
>
>Tools for people with diabetes and hearing loss
>
>
>
>There are many different tools available that 
>can help people with hearing loss. These range 
>from transcription apps to over-the-counter 
>hearing aids and prescription hearing aids that 
>are programmed to address your level of hearing loss.
>
>In terms of doctor’s appointments and hospital 
>visits, Koebel noted that most medical buildings 
>are fully accessible and should be able to 
>accommodate you at your appointments. You can 
>always inquire at the reception desk or call or 
>email in advance to ask about accommodations.
>
>
>Vibration alerts and connectivity
>
>
>
>If you use an insulin pump or a 
><https://diatribe.org/diabetes-technology/continuous-glucose-monitors>continuous 
>glucose monitor (CGM), Koebel suggested 
>connecting it to a compatible smartwatch. Since 
>smartwatches can send alerts via vibration, this 
>may help people who are unable to hear alarms from their CGM or phone.
>
>For instance, Krigsman said he uses vibration 
>for all types of alerts, including low and 
><https://diatribe.org/diabetes-technology/lets-talk-about-high-blood-sugar>high 
>blood sugar levels and issues with his pump 
>(such as occlusions or empty reservoirs). 
>However, he noticed that the vibration alerts 
>drained his pump battery very quickly and he 
>often had to purchase a new battery to keep up.
>
>“Now, I use a Tandem pump, and I got into the 
>habit of charging every morning daily, and that 
>keeps up the battery issue for me,” he said. 
>However, he noted that the vibration isn’t 
>always noticeable, especially when it’s in his pocket or fanny pack.
>
>Krigsman also connected his CGM with his 
>Bluetooth hearing aids. “Using my Android 
>phone, I hear the beeps clearly with the help of 
>the hearing devices,” he explained.
>
>Monitoring nighttime blood sugar levels can be 
>challenging if you have hearing loss. Thanks to 
>modern technology, Krigsman is able to receive 
>vibration alerts while he sleeps through a 
>device called the 
><https://customtypeone.com/products/sugarpixel>SugarPixel. 
>The device, which is placed under his pillow, is 
>able to read his CGM through 
><https://www.dexcom.com/dexcom-follow>Dexcom 
>Follow and displays the numbers on a connected clock.
>
>“If I go very high or low with my sugar, the 
>bed vibrator and an extremely loud sound will 
>blast off from that tiny box,” he said. “The 
>nice thing about this is the sound is very 
>randomized sound alerts that avoid ‘brain habituation’ issues.”
>
>
>Apps
>
>
>
>Apps that share CGM data can be helpful. For 
>instance, Dexcom Follow, LibreLinkUp, and 
>CareLink allow you to share your CGM data with 
>family members, friends, or care partners. 
>Krigsman also uses 
><https://www.sugarmate.io/>SugarMate, which 
>provides blood sugar alerts to friends and 
>family via phone call or automated text messages.
>
>“Around my house, I have two [older] iPads, 
>one for each floor, that will allow my family to 
>monitor my blood glucose during their 
>‘waking’ hours, and it is tied with SugarMate,” he explained.
>
>More generally, assistive apps can help you 
>communicate in written form and can also 
>transcribe spoken words to text. For instance, 
>your device’s notes app as well as apps like 
><https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.qunjia.upsidedowntextapp&hl=en_US&pli=1>Deaf 
>Note can be useful for communicating via written 
>text. Speech-to-text apps include 
><https://www.livetranscribe.app/>Live 
>Transcribe, a free app designed by the deaf 
>community, as well as Ava, Google Live 
>Transcribe, Microsoft Translator, and Otter.ai.
>
>
>Social support and education
>
>
>
>Social support is also key. Krigsman said his 
>biggest success in navigating diabetes and 
>hearing loss has been sharing what he’s 
>learned with others online and in a hearing-impaired group.
>
>Meanwhile, one of the biggest challenges for 
>Krigsman has been researching new accessible 
>tools and waiting for technology updates from 
>healthcare companies and phone vendors. For 
>these reasons, it can be especially helpful to 
>talk about what works and what doesn’t work with others in the community.
>
>“There are also many support groups for those 
>going through a time of hearing loss,” Koebel 
>said, adding, “It can be beneficial to be 
>around others who understand what you’re going through.”
>
>Accessible diabetes education is also important. 
>For instance, Krigsman highlighted the 
><https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/73/Supplement_1/540-P/155132/540-P-Qualitative-Findings-from-the-Deaf-Diabetes>Deaf 
>Diabetes Can Together (DDCT) program, which 
>provides diabetes education to those with 
>hearing loss through American Sign Language 
>(ASL), images, and other modes of communication.
>
>DDCT is currently recruiting participants for an 
><https://redcap01.brisc.utah.edu/ccts/redcap/surveys/?s=7NWWX43YWN8AFFDA>online 
>study to find out how best to provide diabetes 
>education in ASL. Adults with type 1 or type 2 
>diabetes who have hearing loss are eligible to participate.
>
>
>The bottom line
>
>
>
>It’s common for people to develop some degree 
>of hearing loss as they age. However, people 
>with diabetes and prediabetes have a higher 
>chance of developing hearing loss compared to 
>those without diabetes. Therefore, it’s 
>important to be extra careful about protecting 
>your ears and seeking out screening if you 
>experience any symptoms of hearing loss.
>
>“If you have diabetes, even if you aren’t 
>experiencing hearing loss, I recommend talking 
>to your doctor or diabetes team to ensure you 
>are following every step necessary to avoid any 
>damage to your hearing,” Koebel said.
>
>You can prevent hearing loss by managing your 
>blood sugar levels, receiving recommended 
>screenings for hearing loss, and using ear 
>protection in noisy environments, Koebel told us.
>
>Above all, Krigsman advised patience and flexibility.
>
>“Be patient when you are learning about 
>diabetes, as it is A LOT to learn regardless of 
>your disability, and everyone has their own pace 
>of learning,” he said. “This is life-long 
>learning and an adaptable process. Not one size fits all.”
>
>Learn more about accessibility in diabetes care:
>    * 
> <https://diatribe.org/diabetes-complications/living-vision-loss-and-diabetes>Living 
> With Vision Loss and Diabetes
>    * 
> <https://diatribe.org/diabetes-technology/people-vision-and-hearing-loss-call-better-access-diabetes-tech>People 
> With Vision and Hearing Loss Call for Better Access to Diabetes Tech
>    * 
> <https://diatribe.org/diabetes-management/diabetes-and-workplace-discrimination>Diabetes 
> and Workplace Discrimination
>
>https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/living-with-diabetes-and-hearing-loss-732361/
>
>

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