By Kathy Dowd, Au.D.
When a family member received a diagnosis of diabetes about 11 years ago, as an audiologist I tried to find information related to hearing problems associated with diabetes. I realized few people knew about the research connecting hearing loss and balance issues to this chronic disease.
Credit: Take Charge of Your Diabetes/CDC
Since then, I have worked to raise awareness of the link between chronic diseases and hearing and balance issues, along with medications causing hearing loss (ototoxic drugs), by instructing diabetes educators, optometrists, and audiologists nationally about this silent, unmet medical need.
Following a stakeholders meeting in 2016, professional audiology and diabetes groups joined in assisting with these efforts and The Audiology Project was born. The Audiology Project (TAP) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, working to raise awareness of the link between chronic diseases and hearing and balance disorders. We are working in collaboration with the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and the American Association of Diabetes Educators to advocate for audiological monitoring of hearing and balance issues caused by this chronic disease.
TAP began by defining diabetes related hearing and balance issues. In April 2016 advocacy efforts moved the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to consider a recommendation for hearing screening as part of their patient guide, “Take Charge of Your Diabetes.”
Our first goal is to have all persons with diabetes receive a baseline hearing test and a balance screening when they are first diagnosed with diabetes, and then monitored for best audiological medical management of this chronic disease.
The CDC and the American Diabetes Association are now recognizing the comorbidity of diabetes and hearing and balance problems. TAP is committed to educating healthcare professionals about this invisible handicap.
From the CDC Patient Guide
How can diabetes harm your ears?
Diabetes damages small blood vessels in your inner ear and your vestibular system, which is the part of your inner ear that helps with balance.
Diabetes can make it harder for signals related to hearing and balance to get to your brain. Hearing loss is more common in people with diabetes.
You are more likely to fall if you have diabetes because of damage to your vestibular system.
Ask your health care team to help you set and reach goals to manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and stop smoking—also known as the ABCs of diabetes.
A1C (a measure of your average blood sugar over three months): The goal set for many people is less than 7 percent for this blood test, but your doctor might set a different goal for you.
Blood pressure: High blood pressure causes heart disease. The goal is less than 140/90 mmHg for most people but check with your doctor to see what your goal should be.
Cholesterol: LDL (“bad”) cholesterol builds up and clogs your blood vessels. HDL (healthy or “good”) cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your blood vessels. Ask your doctor what your cholesterol numbers should be.
Smoking: If you smoke or use other tobacco products, take steps to quit. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for support.
Ask your health care provider to refer you to diabetes self-management education and support services to help you manage your diabetes. Search for “Find a Diabetes Education Program in Your Area” to go to a website that lists programs recognized by the American Diabetes Association or accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.
Visit CDC website for information on how to manage your diabetes and live your healthiest life.
Kathy Dowd, Au.D., is the executive director of The Audiology Project. She received her master’s in audiology from the University of Louisville and her clinical doctorate from Salus University in Pennsylvania. Her background in audiology over the past 42 years is in educational audiology at local and state levels and in private practice. For more, see theaudiologyproject.com.
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