Are you aware that there is a link between heart health and hearing loss? There is a strong link between healthy hearts and hearing well. The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) recommends that everyone who is 40 or older have their hearing checked routinely as part of their health care. Many cardiologists see the ear as an indicator of heart health in aging adults. If you are 65 or older and have a hearing loss and do not have a history of being exposed to noise or have a family history of hearing loss, then the hearing loss can be due to hypertension or heart disease.
Blood flows through the inner ear where there are very small capillaries. Our ears are very sensitive to changes in blood flow. If there is not enough blood flowing to the inner ear and central auditory system or there is trauma to the blood vessels in these areas, your hearing can be affected. This is similar to what occurs with diabetes and vision problems.
There is even a correlation between certain patterns of hearing loss and heart disease. A low frequency hearing loss may indicate you are at risk for heart disease. If a reverse slope hearing loss is found along with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as a large waist circumference, increased body mass index and an inactive lifestyle, a referral to a physician to assess your cardiovascular health may be recommended. If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease or if you have already been diagnosed with heart disease, you should be vigilant about your hearing health.
If your cardiovascular system is impaired, your peripheral and central auditory systems can be adversely affected. Vascular trauma in the brain such as a stroke can affect your nervous system, motor and thought processes. A stroke can lead to decreased hearing on the affected side of the brain. Smoking is also linked to hearing loss. Smoking can damage your blood vessels and cause hypertension. Your overall heart health can impact your hearing.
A healthy cardiovascular system plays an important part in your hearing health. When your heart, veins and arteries are working well, blood flows to your body parts, like your ear and brain, without being compromised. Eating healthy and increasing your physical activity can improve your heart health and decrease your risk of hearing loss.
Audiology & Hearing Care of SWFL
Bonita Springs
24810 Burnt Pine Drive, Suite 2
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
239.271.2735