Heart Health Starts Hear

By Maggie Page, HIS

We all know that the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone.  But did you know that heart health is connected to the ear? It is American Heart Month, which is the perfect time to learn about this connection. 

Is heart health really connected to hearing loss?

There are various health conditions that can affect how we hear and hearing loss can be a symptom of many of these conditions as well. Diabetes, cognitive decline, safety and balance, depression and even heart health have correlations with hearing loss.

Studies have shown that there seems to be an association between low-frequency hearing loss and many cardiovascular events.

The Busselton Healthy Aging Study was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2010-2015  to show if cardiovascular risk factors were associated with hearing loss. The study, of over 4000 participants, concluded that a high cardiovascular risk score is associated with hearing loss among middle-aged men and women.  Targeting cardiovascular risk factors may play a role in preventing hearing loss.

HOW does heart health effect my hearing?

Blood flows from the heart to each part of the body to provide oxygen and nutrients. It goes without saying, a healthy heart is essential to healthy living, but interestingly enough, the heart and hearing are intertwined. The cochlea, or inner ear, needs a good supply of oxygen-rich blood.  The inner ear contains tiny hair cells, called cilia, that can become damaged when deprived of this blood supply. Poor cardiovascular health can cause hearing related issues by not having the ability to correctly carry the needed oxygen-rich nutrients to the hearing nerves. The heart and ears truly are connected. As you take care of your heart, you could be helping your hearing.  

When should I get my hearing checked?

If you are over age 50, it is recommended to have your hearing screened. If you have had a cardiovascular event, a stroke, cancer treatments or have noticed difficulty understanding speech in certain settings, then it is a very good idea to have your hearing checked. We invite you to visit Levine Hearing for a free hearing evaluation! Give us a call today at 704-540-3081 to schedule it.

Hi! I’m Maggie. I have been helping Charlotte hear better for nearly two decades! I love giving the gift of hearing to my friends and neighbors. Please leave me comments if my posts are meaningful to you or teach you something new, and feel free to tweet us at @LevineHearing!