Happy couple managing their hearing health with a healthy diet

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Can Diabetes Affect Hearing?

Diabetes is one of the many comorbidities associated with hearing loss. If you or someone you know has diabetes, you are most likely familiar with the damage the disease can do to the circulatory system. What you might not know is that the same glucose overload that destroys parts of the body can also impact hearing ability.

 

How is Diabetes Connected to Hearing?

One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is nerve damage to the hands, feet, eyes, and kidneys. Although less known to people, diabetes can cause nerve damage in the ears as well. Over time, high blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage the small, delicate blood vessels of the inner ear, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss.

For those who have low blood sugar – most commonly associated with type 1 diabetes – the nerve signals that carry sound to your brain can be damaged, leading to hearing loss as well.

Studies have shown that diabetics are more than 2 times as likely to develop hearing loss. Even people with prediabetes have a 30% higher rate of hearing loss than people with normal blood sugar levels. When left untreated, hearing loss can weaken a person’s ability to communicate, can lead to depression and isolation, and can even contribute to dementia.

 

What Can Be Done

People with diabetes and their families should be aware of this increased risk as screening for hearing loss, unlike vision, is not among the current tests routinely given to diabetics. For individuals in Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and the surrounding areas, we can help you be proactive of your hearing health!

At Revolution Hearing, we offer advanced technology and testing to make diagnosing and treating hearing loss easy. We can perform diagnostic hearing tests in Charlottesville to ensure hearing loss is caught early. Contact our office today to schedule a hearing screening and be proactive of your hearing health!

Our Provider

John Paul Schaeffer, HIS

Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist | Veteran | Medical Professional

John Paul Schaeffer is a dedicated Hearing Instrument Specialist and veteran with a diverse background in emergency medicine, military service, and healthcare. His career has focused on improving patient care through a combination of medical expertise and advanced hearing healthcare.
 
John’s journey began at 14 as a volunteer firefighter, and by 16, he was an EMT with the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad. At 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving with the 2nd Marine Division and providing battlefield medicine during two tours in Iraq. He balanced this with earning an associate degree and later worked in emergency medicine and medical transport.
 
Transitioning into hearing healthcare, John managed Miracle-Ear clinics across Virginia and the Carolinas before co-founding a private clinic. His commitment to patient care and innovative approaches led to the growth of community outreach programs and mobile clinics for underserved populations.
 
Currently with Revolution Hearing, John continues to provide personalized hearing solutions, dedicated to improving the lives of his patients.

Our Provider

Megan Zablan, HIS

Hearing Instrument Specialist

Megan has spent the past 25 years in Virginia Beach, where she developed her passion for the hearing aid industry, inspired by her mother, a dedicated hearing aid specialist. With 10 years of experience, Megan is committed to providing personalized care and building strong, lasting relationships with each client. She takes the time to understand their unique hearing needs and deliver the highest level of service. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Chewie and Adobo, playing board games, and staying active with pickleball. Her mission is simple: to help people hear better and improve their quality of life. Megan is dedicated to making sure every client receives the best possible care on their hearing journey.