According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all adults in the United States have hypertension. Left untreated, hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can cause many health problems. It can also increase your risk of hearing loss.
High Blood Pressure Can Damage Your Ears
A 2013 study found that high blood pressure accelerated age-related hearing loss in people between 45-64. Additionally, they found that the higher a person’s blood pressure was, the more likely they were to have hearing loss. Mild hearing loss was discovered in:
- 18 % of patients without hypertension
- 36.7 % of patients with grade 1 hypertension
- 40.4 % of patients with grade 2 hypertension
- 54.2 % of patients with grade 3 hypertension
Why This Happens
If your blood pressure remains high for too long, it can cause damage to your blood vessels, including those that carry blood to the inner ear. This can affect the hair cells of the inner ear, which play a vital role in your ability to hear. Once they are damaged, it cannot be reversed. Enough damage will lead to hearing loss.
Control Your Blood Pressure to Reduce Hearing Loss Risk
Finding out you have hypertension can be scary. Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to control your blood pressure. This will benefit your health in numerous ways, including reducing your risk of hearing loss. To manage your blood pressure, be sure to:
- Take any medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Consume a diet low in sodium and trans fats and high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fatty fish.
- Engage in regular physical activity. Getting as little as 20-30 minutes of exercise most days of the week can help keep your blood pressure in check.
- Reduce your stress levels. Practicing meditation or taking a class at Hapa Yoga can benefit your heart.
Get A Hearing Test if You Experience Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a gradual and progressive condition that gets more common as we age. Even if you maintain a healthy blood pressure, it’s essential to know the early signs to watch out for, which include:
- Trouble following conversations, especially in places with background noise
- Asking others to repeat themselves often
- Having others comment on your hearing
- Needing to turn the volume up on the TV louder than you used to
If you experience any of these, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. The sooner any hearing loss is detected, the better your treatment outcomes.
If you would like to speak with a hearing expert or wish to schedule an appointment, call San Diego ENT today.