Mysterious change that’s easy to dismiss – but could signal you are suffering from diabetes without knowing it

It’s a common hallmark of either advancing years or a youth spent at the front row of concerts.

But hearing loss could also be a hidden sign that you have diabetes.

Almost 6million Brits have diabetes but charities estimate 1.2million are living with the disease undiagnosed.

Experts are now urging people to be conscious that changes in their hearing could indicate they are one of these silent sufferers. 

Rob Ormerod, an audiologist at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists explained the health condition could have a profound impact on the health of our ears. 

‘The high and low blood sugar levels diabetics suffer from can impact blood flow and cause damage to the blood vessels in your inner ear, affecting the nerve signals received by your ear’ he said.

This included a change that happens to all of us, typically as we get older, hearing loss. 

‘Research shows that those with diabetes have twice the risk of experiencing hearing loss,’ Mr Ormerod said.

He added people can struggle to realise they are experiencing hearing loss given how it tends to slowly progress over time.   

‘Loss of hearing can often be difficult to detect as it tends to happen gradually but if you’re having trouble following conversations and find you’re turning the volume up on your devices – it may be down to a deterioration to your hearing,’ he said.

While diabetes is only one just one of a myriad of potential causes of hearing loss Mr Ormerod urged any one suffering from the signs to seek help, as treatment could have a profound impact. 

 Hearing loss is just one ear-related sign you could be an undiagnosed diabetic.   

Ear infections are a relatively common ailment but finding yourself suffering from them frequently could be a sign you have diabetes. 

‘Diabetics are more prone to picking up ear infections,’ Mr Ormerod explained. 

‘This is caused by reduced blood flow to your ears which can in turn reduce the strength of your immune system and ability to fight off infections.’

He advised people to take basic precautions like not putting cotton wool buds into their ears and using earplugs when swimming to avoid ear infections generally.

However, he added if you still find yourself suffering from contact your GP or pharmacist for some advice on investigating potential causes, including diabetes.

Tinnitus, where you hear noises, such as ringing or buzzing inside your ear from no external source, could also be a sign you have diabetes. 

Mr Ormerod said: ”The inner ear, or cochlea, relies on oxygen and blood glucose to function effectively. 

‘With diabetes having a direct impact on glucose levels in the blood due to abnormal insulin levels, this can have an effect on the cochlea and result in tinnitus.’ 

While he said tinnitus could be triggered by other, less serious issues than diabetes, such as the build-up of ear wax, it was important it be investigated to determine the cause and advise on treatment. 

Diabetes, where the body does not react properly to insulin – the hormone which controls absorption of sugar into the blood – and cannot properly regulate sugar glucose levels in the blood is a rising health problem.

There are two types of diabetes, called type 1 and type 2. 

Type 1 is where the body doesn’t make insulin at all and is believed to linked to genes.

Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22. And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications including heart disease and strokes. 

On the other hand, type 2 is more common and is where the body is capable of making insulin but isn’t producing enough or it isn’t working properly.

Factors like age and obesity increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and it is considered to be on the rise in Britain particularly in young adults. 

A recent report from Diabetes UK suggests there has been a staggering 39 per cent rise in type 2 diabetes in people under 40 in a trend that’s been blamed on rising obesity levels.

In addition to hearing loss, other symptoms of diabetes include urinating more than usual, feeling thirsty all the time, fatigue, losing weight without trying, itching around the genitals, and blurred vision.