Hearing loss and heart health — what’s the connection?

Hearing Loss Articles

Everyone knows that the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone. But did you know that your heart is connected to your ear? Well, not directly. But various studies have proven that hearing loss and heart health are more linked than you may think.

Hearing loss affects approximately 48 million people in the U.S. It can be caused by simply getting older, your genetics, frequent exposure to loud noises, some illnesses, certain medications, and damage to the inner ear from heart disease — also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD). That’s right, a lot of your hearing health comes down to good blood flow from your heart.¹

It's all connected

Heart disease and the ear

The hairs in the inner ear, or cochlea, depend on good blood flow in order to function properly and convert sound waves to electrical signals. These signals are then sent to and processed by our brain, which is how we’re able to hear and understand speech and other sounds.²

When someone has CVD, blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the ear can become damaged. And once the hairs in your ears are damaged, they do not grow back. Reduced blood flow to the ear over time will result in a reduced ability to hear.²

Hearing loss and heart health — what’s the connection?

Risk factors for heart disease

There are ways to lower your risk for heart disease and related hearing loss. Things like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity can all damage your heart, so it’s important to adopt lifestyle changes to keep it and your ears healthier.

Here are a few ways to take care of your heart:

If you smoke, stop.

Smoking causes plaque buildup in arteries, which reduces the ability for blood to flow freely.

Start exercising.

Just walking is one of the best things you can do for your body and your heart.

Create healthy eating habits.

Choose lean protein, veggies and fruits each day, and work to decrease the amount of over-processed items and fast food you're eating. Start small. Incorporating one or two smaller changes at a time will help you maintain those habits long term.

Speak with your doctor.

If you have a congenital heart issue that cannot be improved with lifestyle changes, or a medical condition that can lead to heart issues, talk to your doctor. They can help you make a plan for being your healthiest self.

When to see a doctor

Heart disease kills more than 800,000 people every year in the United States.³ If you have hearing loss, get a professional hearing test and be sure to talk to your doctor about being screened for cardiovascular disease. And if you have heart disease, make an appointment to get a hearing test. Early treatment can save your life.

If you do have hearing loss, investing in modern hearing aids will improve your emotional and physical well-being. Book an appointment at one of our hearing centers near you to have your hearing tested and find the right style of hearing aid for your lifestyle.

If you have any questions or require assistance in identifying the right product for you, please don’t hesitate to speak with our specialists or schedule an appointment to discover your exact hearing needs.

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Audioology.org: Heart Disease and Hearing loss: audiology.org
Cardiology Associates of Michigan: Listening for the signs: The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and cardiovascular disease: cardofmich.com
CDC: Heart Disease Facts: cdc.gov

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