Hearing and Type 1 Diabetes: What You Should Know

Did you know that hearing loss is more common if you live with Type 1 diabetes? It’s not something we always think about, but our ears deserve just as much attention as our eyes, heart, and kidneys.

Let’s explore why hearing issues can happen with T1D, what to watch for, and what you can do to protect your hearing as you age.

Why Is Hearing Affected by Type 1 Diabetes?

Living with T1D for many years can affect tiny blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including those in the inner ear. This can lead to sensorineural hearing loss, which means the ear has trouble picking up and sending sound to the brain.

In fact, people with diabetes are about twice as likely to have hearing loss compared to those without diabetes (American Diabetes Association).

What Causes It?

Some of the possible reasons include:

• High or fluctuating blood sugars over time can damage the delicate structures in the ear.
• High blood pressure or cholesterol can make it harder for blood to flow to the inner ear.
• Aging with diabetes adds to the risk, especially after age 50.
• Certain medications or long-term noise exposure can increase the chance of hearing problems.
• Rare conditions, like Wolfram syndrome or mitochondrial diabetes, can also impact hearing.

Signs to Watch For

It’s easy to overlook hearing loss at first. You might notice:

• People seem to mumble more often
• You ask others to repeat themselves
• You turn up the TV louder than others like
• You feel tired or stressed from straining to hear
• You avoid social situations because it’s hard to follow conversations

Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone—and there are steps you can take.

What You Can Do

Here’s what you can start doing today to take care of your hearing:

1. Get a hearing test regularly
   Even if you’re not noticing problems, it’s worth checking every couple of years—just like getting your eyes checked.
2. Keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in range
   Good numbers mean better blood flow and less stress on your ears.
3. Protect your ears from loud noises
   Use ear protection at concerts, while mowing the lawn, or around loud machinery.
4. Stay active and eat well
   A heart-healthy lifestyle is also ear-healthy!
5. Don’t ignore the signs
   Hearing aids and assistive devices have come a long way—they’re small, smart, and can help you stay connected and confident.

What the Research Is Saying

• A long-term study of people with Type 1 diabetes (the DCCT/EDIC study) found that hearing loss—especially at higher pitches—is more common in people with T1D than those without it (PPMC7217092).
• Other studies show that hearing loss may be one of the early signs of diabetes-related nerve and vessel changes, even before other complications appear (Medical News Today).
• There’s also exciting work happening around smart hearing technology—like earbuds that automatically adjust to background noise—making it easier to hear in restaurants, on the phone, and during group conversations.

Final Thought

If you’re living with Type 1 diabetes and getting older (like all of us are!), don’t forget about your ears. Hearing loss is more common than many people realize—but there are ways to catch it early and improve your quality of life.

You deserve to hear the world clearly—your favorite music, your loved ones’ voices, and the conversations that keep you connected. Don’t wait. Listen to what your ears might be trying to tell you.

Last updated 2025-08-19