WASHINGTON — People with diabetes are at increased risk of hearing loss, which has prompted two groups to encourage those living with the disease to have their hearing checked.

The American Diabetes Association and the Better Hearing Institute are launching the effort as part of the ADA's Diabetes Alert Day, on Tuesday, which also includes an effort to encourage people to check if they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes as in those without it, while a study conducted at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital on women agesd 60 to 75 years found that those whose disease was well-controlled had hearing levels similar to those of similar age without the disease, compared with women who did not control their disease well.

"Unaddressed hearing loss negatively affects virtually every aspect of a person's life, from cognitive function to emotional well-being, making it all the more difficult for people with diabetes to cope with their disease," Better Hearing Institute executive director Sergei Kochkin said. "By taking our free, quick and confidential online hearing check, at Hearingcheck.org, anyone can determine if they need a comprehensive hearing test by a hearing professional."

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