Health conditions and hearing loss risk factors
Specialist Hearing Services in Mount Hawthorn, Perth, tests the hearing of adults with diabetes, heart disease, dementia and other conditions linked to hearing loss.
5.017 Google reviews
Risk factors
At a glance
Several common health conditions are associated with hearing loss, and the relationship often runs in both directions. They include diabetes, heart disease, dementia, a history of falls and some cancer treatments.
At any age
Why this matters at any age
What people often assume
Hearing loss is often treated as a normal part of getting older and left alone.
A hearing test shows where your hearing is now, so you can make an informed decision.
What the research shows
Several common health conditions are linked with hearing loss, at any age.
Read about each condition
Conditions with a documented link
The health conditions linked to hearing loss
Diabetes
Hearing loss is more common in people with diabetes.
Cardiovascular health
The inner ear needs a good blood supply and is unusually sensitive to changes in it. Poor cardiovascular health reduces blood flow and damages blood vessels, so the inner ear can be affected early.
Dementia
Research links untreated hearing loss with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Knowing about the link lets a person and their family decide about hearing care earlier.
Falls
Hearing loss is linked with a higher chance of falling.
Researchers think two factors are involved. Hearing less means knowing less about what is around you, and working harder to hear takes attention that would otherwise go to moving safely. Research on this is ongoing.
Cancer treatment
Some chemotherapy medications and radiation treatment carry a risk of hearing damage and tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears. Drugs that can harm hearing are called ototoxic.
Doctors monitor hearing during some cancer treatments because some of the damage is permanent. Both doctor and patient should know about the risk when treatment decisions are made.
If you are about to start cancer treatment, a hearing test before or early in treatment gives you something to compare against later. If treatment has finished, a test shows where your hearing is now.
Who you will see
The clinicians who test your hearing
Chris van Wijngaarden and Dayle Hensman see patients at the clinic.
Director, Senior Clinician & Certified Lyric Provider
Chris van Wijngaarden
Dip. Audiometry · Member of the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud), incorporating HAASA
Read Chris's profile
Senior Audiologist & Certified Lyric Provider
Dayle Hensman
BA Speech Pathology & Audiology · MAudA CCP
Read Dayle's profile
Hearing loss is more common in people with diabetes. A hearing test shows whether your hearing has changed.
The inner ear depends on a good blood supply, so ask your doctor whether a hearing test makes sense alongside your heart care. A hearing test shows where your hearing is now.
Research links untreated hearing loss with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. That is an association rather than a proven cause. A hearing test is still worth having if you are noticing changes.
Some chemotherapy medications and radiation treatment can damage hearing or cause tinnitus. The term for this is ototoxicity. A hearing test before or early in treatment gives you a baseline to compare against afterwards.
More from the clinic
Other services at the clinic
12questions, about a minute
Not sure whether you need a test?
The check asks twelve questions about situations people often find difficult, one at a time, in your browser. It takes about a minute, nothing is sent anywhere, and it is not a hearing test.
369 Oxford StreetMount HawthornBook
Book an appointment
Send an enquiry and reception will contact you by phone or email, or call the clinic to speak to someone now.
Opening hoursMonday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12pm
Not sure yet? Take the online hearing check