Three subtle ear changes that indicate type 2 diabetes symptoms that go largely undiagnosed

Imbalanced and unregulated blood sugar levels and flow cause damage to the blood vessels in the inner ear, affecting nerve signals.

In India, an estimated 77 million people over the age of 18 have type 2 diabetes and nearly 25 million are prediabetic. However, more than half may not even know they have it. According to experts, changes in your hearing can be a warning sign that you are living with this disease.

Although type 2 diabetes is mostly associated with people over 40, more young people are being diagnosed with the disease. It is extremely important to control the disease to prevent long-term damage to blood vessels, nerves and organs.

Doctors say imbalanced and unregulated blood sugar levels and flow cause damage to blood vessels in the inner ear, affecting nerve signals.

Three ways diabetes shows symptoms in the ears

According to doctors, if you have had these three important symptoms often, you may be diabetic.

Recurrent infections

Although getting an ear infection can be due to many reasons, the onset of type 2 diabetes is one of them.

According to experts, poor blood flow makes you prone to ear infections as it lowers your immunity levels, and if not checked early, they become more chronic and may require aggressive treatments. Chronic ear infections may eventually require surgeries involving the ear.

High blood sugar levels also damage the nerves and small blood vessels in the inner ear. Doctors suggest following a few general best practice guidelines to prevent ear infections, such as not putting cotton in your ear and using earplugs when you go swimming.

tinnitus

Although not usually a symptom of type 2 diabetes, it appears that high blood sugar levels can make the condition worse, which is what happens when you hear sounds when there is no external source. It can sound like buzzing, buzzing, roaring, hissing, humming, or hissing.

Doctors say that diabetes has a direct impact on blood glucose levels due to abnormal insulin levels, which also have an effect on the cochlea and cause tinnitus.

Tinnitus can also be a side effect of hearing loss, and diabetes can cause problems with your hearing and sense of balance.

Hearing loss

Although it is mostly understood as a natural side effect of aging, hearing loss can also be caused by a number of other problems, including type 2 diabetes.

According to doctors, hearing loss is a condition that sets in slowly and is therefore difficult to detect. However, if you’ve had conversations going on and find yourself turning up the volume on your devices, it may be due to your hearing impairment.