Diabetes and hearing loss: what’s the connection?

photograph of the author
Author
Joanne Rinker, MS, RDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES
photograph of the reviewer
Medically reviewed by
Joanne Rinker, MS, RDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES
Published On
December 17, 2025
Updated On
December 18, 2025

Diabetes affects nearly every system in the body, and the auditory (hearing) system is no exception—although it’s often an overlooked aspect of diabetes care. We know that keeping glucose levels in range can help improve health for the entire bodily system, and now we’re exploring the relationship between diabetes and hearing loss across all types of diabetes, including the impact on individuals and babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM). Read on to learn more about how glucose levels can affect hearing—and how utilizing tools like time in range can help

Why Does Diabetes Affect Hearing?

Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels throughout the body, a condition known as microangiopathy. Similar to the vessels in the eyes and kidneys, the inner ear relies on small blood vessels. When these vessels are compromised, sound transmission and auditory processing can deteriorate. This can slow the brain’s ability to interpret sound accurately, leading to gradual hearing loss, difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, and increased listening fatigue. 

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of hearing loss, particularly at high frequencies. People with diabetes who have prolonged high glucose levels are at heightened risk for long-term auditory complications. Despite these well-documented risks, hearing screenings are rarely incorporated into standard diabetes care plans—a critical gap in comprehensive management. Advocating for these hearing screenings can seriously help you in the long-run.

Another way to protect your hearing is to use CGM and metrics like time in range! They can help lower A1C, optimize glucose levels, and keep you informed about where your levels are going.  

Gestational Diabetes and Infant Hearing

As the placenta grows, hormones are produced, and the risk of insulin resistance becomes greater. Normally, the pancreas is able to make additional insulin to overcome insulin resistance, but when the production of insulin is not enough to overcome the effect of the placental hormones, gestational diabetes results.

Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM) have a higher risk of hearing loss, particularly sensorineural hearing loss. Higher glucose levels, or lower time in range, during pregnancy can damage developing nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear, leading to impaired hearing sensitivity, with some studies showing higher failure rates on newborn hearing screenings. While the risk is elevated, the hearing loss is often manageable with appropriate audiological follow-up and management.

Why does GDM increase the risk of hearing loss?

Hyperbilirubinemia, a condition characterized by elevated bilirubin levels, is more common in these infants whose mothers have GDM, and is a known risk factor for hearing impairment. Additional complications associated with GDM, such as perinatal asphyxia and congenital heart disease, further contribute to this risk. Research indicates that there’s more hearing loss among newborns from GDM pregnancies compared to those without.

Using diabetes technology in pregnancy can help people with diabetes monitor their glucose to keep it in a tighter range shown to decreasecomplications. This new international consensus gives guidelines on use of CGM in pregnancy—check it out here! 

What can you do? 

The best way to monitor glucose values is through a CGM—which gives a glucose reading every 5 minutes. The metrics CGMs provide, like time in range, can give you a view of how long you’re staying in your target range, allowing you work with your healthcare team to establish plans to help keep glucose levels in range as long as possible. Research has actually shown a direct correlation between time spent in range and risk of diabetes-related complications like retinopathy. When you know more, you can do more!

Remember: early detection can preserve communication, cognitive health, and quality of life. Together, we can make hearing health an essential part of diabetes management.

 

  1. Bainbridge, K. E., Hoffman, H. J., & Cowie, C. C. (2011). Diabetes and hearing impairment in the United States: Audiometric evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2004. Annals of Internal Medicine, 154(5), 346–355. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-154-5-201103010-00006
  2. Horikawa, C., Kodama, S., Tanaka, S., Fujihara, K., Hirasawa, R., Yachi, Y., … & Sone, H. (2013). Diabetes and risk of hearing impairment in adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(1), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-2119
  3. Gioacchini, F. M., Albera, R., Re, M., Scarpa, A., Cassandro, C., & Cassandro, E. (2018). Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus are related to vestibular organs dysfunction: Truth or suggestion? Acta Diabetologica, 55(12), 1201–1207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-018-1183-2
  4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/gestational-diabetes. Accessed online 11/4/2025
  5. American Diabetes Association (2025). Gestational diabetes. https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes. online 11/5/2025
  6. Aggarwal K, Ravi R. Effect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Newborn Hearing: A Systematic Review. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2025 Feb;134(2):87-92
  7. Sharma K, Mehta N, Kalita R. The Effect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Hearing of Neonates in a Tertiary Healthcare Centre. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Apr;75(Suppl 1):620-627.
  8. Lee JA, Mehta CH, Nguyen SA, Meyer TA. Hearing outcomes in children of diabetic pregnancies. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 May;132
  9. Lee JA, et al. (2020). Hearing outcomes in children of diabetic pregnancies. Intl J Ped Otorhinolaryngol, 132, May

 

 

 

  1. Bainbridge, K. E., Hoffman, H. J., & Cowie, C. C. (2011). Diabetes and hearing impairment in the United States: Audiometric evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2004. Annals of Internal Medicine, 154(5), 346–355. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-154-5-201103010-00006
  2. Horikawa, C., Kodama, S., Tanaka, S., Fujihara, K., Hirasawa, R., Yachi, Y., … & Sone, H. (2013). Diabetes and risk of hearing impairment in adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(1), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-2119
  3. Gioacchini, F. M., Albera, R., Re, M., Scarpa, A., Cassandro, C., & Cassandro, E. (2018). Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus are related to vestibular organs dysfunction: Truth or suggestion? Acta Diabetologica, 55(12), 1201–1207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-018-1183-2
  4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/gestational-diabetes. Accessed online 11/4/2025
  5. American Diabetes Association (2025). Gestational diabetes. https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes. online 11/5/2025
  6. Aggarwal K, Ravi R. Effect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Newborn Hearing: A Systematic Review. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2025 Feb;134(2):87-92
  7. Sharma K, Mehta N, Kalita R. The Effect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Hearing of Neonates in a Tertiary Healthcare Centre. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Apr;75(Suppl 1):620-627.
  8. Lee JA, Mehta CH, Nguyen SA, Meyer TA. Hearing outcomes in children of diabetic pregnancies. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 May;132
  9. Lee JA, et al. (2020). Hearing outcomes in children of diabetic pregnancies. Intl J Ped Otorhinolaryngol, 132, May