Hearing Loss is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease

Hearing loss is associated with several other health conditions, such as dementia and diabetes. There are several research studies that have found links with heart disease and hearing loss.

Even though the exact reason for this connection is difficult to point out, researchers report that inadequate blood flow or injured blood vessels might be the cause. To be specific, people with cardiovascular disease have been found to have increased rates of hearing loss within the low-frequency range.

Our ears are delicate organs and they require plenty of oxygenated blood in order to function properly. When someone suffers from hypertension or heart disease, this supply of oxygenated blood is depleted since the blood vessels are constricted. Over time, with insufficient oxygen, the tiny hair follicles within the inner ear die out, which can result in hearing loss.

Those with heart disease tend to also have lowered rates of exercise due to fear of exertion. This also further restricts the amount of oxygenated blood within the body and the ears, which can result in hearing loss. Those who exercise regularly have been found to have healthier hearts and also healthy hearing.

Nowadays, if you have hearing loss, you can get hearing aids that actually monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. This can be beneficial to those who have heart disease since these hearing aids also check for any irregularities of the heart beat. If you suspect that you may have hearing loss, it is best not to delay since untreated hearing loss could very well progress into a full-blown cardiovascular disease. Get your hearing tested by an audiologist today.