Heart Disease and Hearing: What’s the Correlation?
Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. In fact, hearing loss is the third most common health condition behind heart disease and stroke, which account for 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States. About 600,000 people die annually of heart disease in the U.S.
Research shows that a person’s hearing health and cardiovascular health frequently correspond. A healthy cardiovascular system – the heart, arteries, and veins – have a positive effect on hearing. Essentially, your ears can be a “window to your heart.”
What’s the Connection?
The ear is supplied by several small arteries and requires sufficient and rich blood flow to maintain proper function. Heart disease or stroke can reduce blood flow to the inner ear, which is essential for hearing. This typically results in sensorineural hearing loss.
Studies suggest that individuals with heart disease are more likely to have hearing loss.
What Should You Do?
Adopting these healthy habits can help prevent or delay the onset of heart disease:
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Manage your blood pressure
- Consume a healthy, well-balanced diet
Maintaining your cardiovascular health through diet, exercise, and regular medical check-ups can help prevent hearing loss. It is also important if you have heart disease or are over the age of 40, to have your hearing tested as a routine part of your medical care.
If you have a diagnosed hearing loss, hearing aids can greatly help. Hearing aids can help you hear the sounds you’ve been missing and can improve your quality of life.
Schedule A Hearing Screening Today
In addition to cardiovascular health, research has associated hearing loss with numerous other physical, mental, and emotional health conditions. As a result, those who address their hearing loss often experience a better quality of life.
Contact us today to learn more about the connection between heart disease and hearing loss or to schedule a hearing screening!