DEFINITION

• Hearing loss is a pervasive and often overlooked health concern that significantly impacts the lives of individuals across all age groups.[1]
• The risk of hearing loss significantly rises with age, with prevalence increasing from 13% among adults aged 40-49, to 29% in those aged 50-59, 45% in the 60-69 age group, 68% in individuals age 70-79, and 90% in those age 80 and older[4].
• Refers to either: 1) sensorineural hearing impairment, characterized by frequency and intensity of hearing loss; or 2) conductive hearing loss;. or 3) mixed hearing loss
• In diabetes, the increased prevalence of sensorineural hearing impairment is likely related to microvascular disease, neuropathy, and mitochondrial damage[3]