Diabetes, Blood Sugar and Hearing Health: The Role of Nutrition
Written by TeamNutrition Registered Dietitians Nutritionists. Reviewed by Cameron Glazier, Audiologist at Hearing Solutions.
Diabetes is often discussed in relation to heart, eye, kidney and nerve health. But did you know that your hearing health may also be affected? This lesser-known connection is raising more questions and attracting increasing attention.
In this article, we’ll explore the connection between diabetes and hearing health, while focusing on something we can influence every day: prevention.
Key Takeaway
Diabetes and hearing health may be connected. Taking care of your blood sugar and metabolic health through healthy lifestyle habits can be part of a comprehensive approach to prevention.
Diabetes and Hearing Health: A Link Worth Knowing About
More and more studies are examining the link between metabolic health and hearing health. A review published in 2025 found that 40.6% to 71.9% of people living with type 2 diabetes had hearing loss, depending on the studies analyzed. Their risk was approximately four times higher than that of people without diabetes. Another review published in 2024 found a similar association among people with type 1 diabetes. In both reviews, a longer duration of diabetes and higher HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) levels were also associated with a higher prevalence of hearing loss.
Prediabetes may also be a factor: some research suggests that people with prediabetes may have an approximately 30% higher risk of hearing loss. However, more research is needed to better understand this connection.
How Can Diabetes Affect Hearing?
Diabetes is often associated with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). When blood sugar is not well controlled and remains too high over a long period of time, it can gradually damage small blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including those involved in the inner ear. Researchers therefore believe that, over time, this damage may also affect the structures responsible for hearing.
The exact link between diabetes and hearing loss is not yet fully understood, and several possible mechanisms are still being studied.
Do You Have Diabetes or Noticed Changes in Your Hearing?
Regular hearing assessments can help you keep track of your hearing health and identify changes over time. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or concerns about your hearing, talk to a Hearing Solutions clinician about your hearing and whether an assessment is right for you.
4 Dietary Habits to Help Manage Blood Sugar
Certain everyday habits can help better manage blood sugar, support cardiovascular health and potentially reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, including hearing loss. Here are a few strategies recommended by the registered dietitians at TeamNutrition.
1. Choose Fibre-Rich Carbohydrates
You don’t need to eliminate carbohydrates to better manage your blood sugar. Instead, the quality and amount of carbohydrates, as well as what you eat alongside them, can make a difference.
Choose higher-fibre sources, which are generally less refined and can contribute to a more favourable blood sugar response:
- White bread → whole-grain or whole-wheat bread
- White rice → brown rice, wild rice or quinoa
- White pasta → whole-grain or legume-based pasta
- Sugary cereals → oatmeal or higher-fibre, lower-sugar cereals
You don’t need to change everything at once! Start with one substitution at a time and choose options you genuinely enjoy.
2. Always Pair Carbohydrates with a Source of Protein
Pairing carbohydrates with a source of protein can help slow digestion and carbohydrate absorption, while also promoting fullness. It’s a simple strategy for creating more balanced meals and snacks:
- At breakfast: pair whole-grain toast with eggs or cheese, and prepare oatmeal with milk, Greek yogurt, nuts and seeds.
- For a snack: pair fruit with plain Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts, or enjoy whole-grain crackers with cheese or hummus.
- At lunch and dinner: add tofu or chicken to your favourite pasta dishes, and add hard-boiled eggs or canned tuna to your meal salads.
3. Fill Half Your Plate with Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while generally providing few carbohydrates. Making them a large part of your plate adds volume and nutrients while helping you feel satisfied.
- At dinner: fill half your plate with roasted, sautéed, grilled or steamed vegetables.
- For quick meals: add a handful of frozen vegetables to stir-fries, pasta, rice or prepared meals.
- In sandwiches and wraps: add plenty of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, or serve some raw vegetables on the side.
- At lunch: pair your meal with a large salad or a vegetable soup.
Vary the colours and types of vegetables throughout the week to enjoy a wider variety of nutrients and keep your meals interesting!
4. Get Moving After Meals
Physical activity helps your muscles use the glucose in your bloodstream, which can help reduce the rise in blood sugar after a meal. You don’t need a full workout: even a few minutes of movement can make a difference.
- Take a 10- to 15-minute walk after lunch or dinner.
- Use a break at work to walk around the building or parking lot.
- Do some household chores or play outside with the kids after eating.
The goal isn’t to “make up for” what you ate, but simply to take advantage of the benefits of movement for blood sugar management.
Don't Forget About Your Hearing Health
Managing your overall health is one part of the picture, but it’s also important to keep track of your hearing. If you have diabetes or are concerned about your hearing, a hearing assessment can help identify changes and give you a better understanding of your current hearing health.
How Can a Dietitian Help You Better Manage Your Blood Sugar?
Everyone’s needs and circumstances are different. A registered dietitian can help you better understand how your eating habits affect your health while providing strategies tailored to your preferences, schedule and goals.
Whether you want to better manage high blood sugar, prevent or manage diabetes, or address another health condition, nutrition counselling can help turn general recommendations into practical, realistic actions.
At TeamNutrition, registered dietitians can support you in person at our Markham and Mississauga locations in Ontario, or through virtual consultations, wherever you are.
Take Care of Your Health Today
Prevention starts well before a health concern develops. A few simple changes to your diet and daily habits can support your metabolic health for years to come.
Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with a TeamNutrition registered dietitian today for personalized support, either in person or virtually.
Taking care of your overall health also includes taking care of your hearing. If you have diabetes or are concerned about changes in your hearing, a hearing assessment can help you understand your current hearing health and identify any changes that may need attention.
Book a hearing test with Hearing Solutions and take an active role in your hearing health.
