Susan Rogan Hearing advises diabetics to check hearing

"Hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes," reports the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear." The tiny blood vessels in the ear need to be healthy to function well to support hearing.

The NIH explains that diabetes is a disease marked by high levels of blood glucose (sugar) resulting from defects in insulin production and/or action. It's a major cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputations.

Audiologist Dr. Susan Rogan, Susan Rogan Hearing, who practices in Westmont and LaGrange Park, agrees with the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) recommendations for diabetics to have routine hearing exams when hearing loss is suspected.

The ADA advises, "Talk to your primary care doctor. You may then want to seek help from a hearing specialist, such as an audiologist, who's a licensed hearing aid dispenser, specializing in hearing problems. You'll learn more about your hearing loss, and how to treat it. Both diabetes and hearing loss are health conditions that can be screened and tested easily and quickly."

With proper diabetic care, hearing loss may be reduced. According to "The Henry Ford Hospital Study," women with diabetes who were between 60-75 years old had hearing similar to non-diabetic women in the same age group, as long as their diabetes was well controlled.

Experts advise people with diabetes to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, and avoid tobacco use as smoking increases the risk of heart disease, which could further compound the risk of hearing damage.

For more information, contact Susan Rogan Hearing, (630) 969-1677 for the Westmont office, (708) 588-0155 for LaGrange Park, or visit www.susanroganhearing.com.