The 3 subtle ear changes that signal killer disease undiagnosed in 1.2 million Brits

THERE are millions of Brits living with type 2 diabetes, a common condition caused by persistently high blood sugar levels.

It’s important to manage the condition to prevent long-term damage to blood vessels, nerves and organs – but it’s estimated that 1.2 million people in the UK may not even know they have type 2 diabetes.

The disease tends to be associated with older people, but it’s increasingly affecting adults under 40, analysis from Diabetes UK shows.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can include feeling persistently thirsty, needed to pee more than usual, blurred vision and slow healing wounds.

But you might not expect symptoms of the disease to crop up in your ears.

In fact, changes to your hearing may a symptom of diabetes – as well as something as commonplace as ear infections.

Rob Ormerod, audiologist at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, explains: “The high and low blood sugar levels diabetics suffer from can impact blood flow and cause damage to the blood vessels in your inner ear, affecting the nerve signals received by your ear and impacting ear health in a number of different ways.”

He shares three subtle ear changes that could signal you’re suffering from the condition.

1. Persistent ear infections

Most of us wouldn’t worry too much about an ear infection, as they’re super common and tend to go away after a few days.

But if you’re constantly getting pain and irritation is your ear, it could be a sign of diabetes.

“Diabetics are more prone to picking up ear infections,” Rob explains.

“This is caused by reduced blood flow to your ears, which can in turn reduce the strength of your immune system and ability to fight off infections.”

A high temperature, being sick, a feeling of pressure or fullness in your ear and discharge are some other signs of this common infection.

Rob shares some advice for swerving them if you seem to be particularly prone to them.

“Following some general best practice guidelines for preventing ear infections such as not putting cotton wool buds into your ear and using earplugs when swimming is important,” he says.

“Bacterial ear infections can be treated with antibiotics but for repeated infections, it’s best to see your GP or pharmacist about the treatment options available.”

2. Tinnitus

Hearing a ringing, hissing or humming sound in your ear that doesn’t seem to be coming from anywhere?

You could be experiencing tinnitus.

“Tinnitus is characterised as a ringing or buzzing in your ears without an external source,” according to Rob.

Some form of hearing loss is often the cause, as well as taking certain medicines or experiencing anxiety and depression, the NHS says.

But chronic conditions like diabetes could also be the culprit behind the whooshing in your ear.

The audiologist explains: “This condition can be triggered by diabetes as the inner ear, or cochlea, relies on oxygen and blood glucose to function effectively.

“With diabetes having a direct impact on glucose levels in the blood due to abnormal insulin levels, this can have an effect on the cochlea and result in tinnitus.

“It’s important to see a specialist if you’re suffering from tinnitus, to ascertain the cause in the first instance, as it could be due to a build-up of ear wax, which can be treated promptly.

“At the point of diagnosis there are a number of treatment options available, including cognitive behavioural therapy and hearing aid solutions.”

3. Hearing loss

You might assume that hearing loss is natural side effect of ageing, but it’s possible that conditions like diabetes could be driving it.

“Research shows that those with diabetes have twice the risk of experiencing hearing loss,” Rob notes.

“Loss of hearing can often be difficult to detect as it tends to happen gradually, but if you’re having trouble following conversations and find you’re turning the volume up on your devices – it may be down to a deterioration to your hearing.

“Rather than increasing the volume, which can actually damage ears and lead to further hearing loss, or withdrawing from social situations, which can lead to loneliness and anxiety, it’s important to get checked out by an audiologist who can assess your hearing and provide appropriate advice and a solution.”