Diabetes – A Big topic

November is Diabetes Month.  According to the American Diabetes Association over 18 million Americans have been diagnosed with Diabetes.  There are millions that are undiagnosed.  There about 79 million people with pre-diabetic signs based on blood work. 

            There are over 36 million Americans with hearing loss.  Based on research studies that show diabetics are twice as likely to have hearing loss as those without diabetes, these numbers are staggering.  It means that we Americans are headed toward seeing audiologists for hearing tests and being fitted with hearing aids.    

            Hearing tests should be a normal or annual test included for each diabetic in this country.  Since diabetics are more likely to develop hearing loss due to the disease, hearing should be monitored regularly. 

            Recently my husband and I were at Joslin Clinic in Boston.  This is “the” place to go.  It was interesting to go for an appointment there.  We thought the physician was thoughtful and attentive.  She studied my husband’s medications and case history and she asked lots of questions.  She spent time finding a new medication to reduce his blood sugar that would not interact with his other medications. 

We spent time with a nutritionist/dietician talking about eating habits and food preparation.  There were plenty of recipes given to us.  There were suggested grocery lists given to us.  This is all very helpful.  My husband’s insurance will pay for dietician’s counseling sessions.  Some insurance companies will not. 

            Hearing and communication are big topics that affect a person’s life.  If hearing is negatively impacted, relationships can suffer.  Quality of life can be compromised.  Hearing loss usually is gradual and needs to be monitored.  Hearing tests are usually covered by insurance companies annually.  This is especially true if monitoring needs to be done due to an illness such as diabetes.