Aging is one of the most typical indicators of hearing loss, and let’s face it, try as we may, we can’t avoid aging. Sure, dyeing your hair may make you look younger, but it doesn’t actually change your age. But did you realize that hearing loss has also been connected to health problems related to aging that are treatable, and in some instances, preventable? Let’s have a look at some examples that may be surprising.
1. Your hearing can be impacted by diabetes
So it’s fairly well established that diabetes is linked to an increased risk of hearing loss. But why would diabetes put you at a higher risk of experiencing hearing loss? Science is at a bit of a loss here. Diabetes is linked to a wide variety of health issues, and specifically, can cause physical damage to the eyes, kidneys, and extremities. Blood vessels in the inner ear might, theoretically, be getting destroyed in a similar way. But it could also be linked to overall health management. A 2015 study found that individuals with overlooked diabetes had worse outcomes than people who were treating and managing their diabetes. If you are concerned that you might be prediabetic or have undiagnosed diabetes, it’s important to speak to a physician and have your blood sugar screened. And, it’s a good plan to call us if you think your hearing might be compromised.
2. Increased danger of falling associated with hearing loss
Why would having trouble hearing make you fall? Although our ears play an important part in helping us balance, there are other reasons why hearing loss may get you down (in this instance, very literally). Participants with hearing loss who have taken a fall were the subjects of a recent study. Though this study didn’t explore the cause of the subjects’ falls, the authors speculated that having trouble hearing what’s around you (and missing crucial sounds such as a car honking) could be one issue. At the same time, if you’re working hard to concentrate on the sounds around you, you may be distracted to your environment and that could also result in a higher risk of having a fall. Fortunately, your risk of having a fall is decreased by having your hearing loss treated.
3. Protect your hearing by managing high blood pressure
High blood pressure and hearing loss have been closely linked in some studies indicating that high blood pressure may accelerate hearing loss due to the aging process. This kind of news may make you feel like your blood pressure is actually rising. Even when variables such as noise exposure or smoking are taken into consideration, the connection has consistently been found. (Please don’t smoke.) Gender appears to be the only important variable: If you’re a man, the connection between high blood pressure and hearing loss is even stronger.
Your ears have a close relation to your circulatory system. In addition to the many tiny blood vessels inside of your ear, two of the body’s primary arteries run right by it. This is one reason why individuals who have high blood pressure often experience tinnitus, the pulsing they’re hearing is actually their own blood pumping. When your tinnitus symptoms are due to your own pulse, it’s known as pulsatile tinnitus. The primary theory why high blood pressure can lead to hearing loss is that it can actually cause physical damage to the vessels in the ears. If your heart is pumping harder, there’s more pressure behind each beat. The small arteries in your ears could possibly be harmed as a result. Through medical treatment and lifestyle improvement, blood pressure can be managed. But if you suspect you’re dealing with hearing loss, even if you think you’re too young for the age-related stuff, it’s a good idea to speak with us.
4. Cognitive decline and hearing loss
It’s scary stuff, but it’s significant to mention that while the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline has been well documented, scientists have been less productive at figuring out why the two are so strongly connected. A common idea is that having difficulty hearing can cause people to stay away from social situations and that social detachment, and lack of mental stimulation, can be debilitating. Another theory is that hearing loss taxes your brain. When your brain is working overtime to process sound, there may not be much brainpower left for things like memory. Maintaining social ties and doing crosswords or “brain games” could help here, but so can treating hearing loss. Social situations will be easier when you can hear clearly and instead of struggling to hear what people are saying, you can focus on the essential stuff.
If you’re worried that you may be dealing with hearing loss, make an appointment with us right away.
References
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/8541638/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1808869415310016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3889339/