Diabetes and Hearing Loss
Reported June 20, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) New research shows diabetes may cause hearing loss.
Researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) worked together to analyze preexisting data from hearing tests administered from 1999 to 2004 by the National Center for Health Statistics.
The data revealed hearing loss is nearly twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to adults who do not have diabetes. The link was evident across all hearing frequencies, with a stronger association in the high frequency range.
Hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes. As diabetes becomes more common, the disease may become a more significant contributor to hearing loss, Catherine Cowie, Ph.D., senior author of the study and NIDDK researcher was quoted as saying.
Its believed diabetes may damage the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear, leading to potential hearing loss. Diabetes affects nearly 21 million Americans. Its also a major cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, published online June 17, 2008.