Hearing loss is a common issue faced by many people, and your chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it, however. Even if you have a disease, like diabetes, that increases your risk, there are things you can do to preserve your hearing, including:

• Control Blood Sugar – Maintaining control of your blood sugar helps to minimize damage to blood vessels and could keep your hearing intact longer.
• No Smoking – Smoking tightens your blood vessels, including the ones in your ears, and increases your risk for hearing loss. When coupled with diabetes, your risk increases substantially. Avoid smoking, especially when you have diabetes, to help maintain your hearing.
• Manage Loud Noise Exposure – It’s always a good idea to protect your exposure to loud noise, but when you have diabetes, it becomes crucial. Use earplugs or other hearing protection when in a loud environment to help preserve your hearing.