Were you aware that your chance of developing age-related hearing loss can be increased if you have high blood pressure?
From about 40 years old and up, you may start to detect that your hearing is starting to go. You most likely won’t even notice your progressing hearing loss even though it’s a permanent condition. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how is hearing loss caused by hypertension? The blood vessels in your ears and your blood vessels in general can be damaged by high blood pressure.
What is blood pressure (and why is it important?)
Blood pressure is a measure of how quickly blood runs through your circulatory system. High blood pressure means that this blood flows more rapidly than normal. Over time, this can result in damage to your blood vessels. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their flexibility and often become blocked. Cardiovascular issues, like a stroke, can be the consequence of these blockages. That’s one of the reasons why healthcare professionals frequently pay close attention to your blood pressure.
What constitutes high blood pressure?
Here are the general ratings for high blood pressure:
- Normal: 120/8o
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 or Higher/90 or higher
A hypertensive emergency happens when your blood pressure goes over 180/120. Immediate management is needed when this happens.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
Hypertension can cause extensive damage to your blood vessels, including the blood vessels in your ear. As these blood vessels get damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also endure lasting damage. The tiny hairs in your ears responsible for sensing vibrations, called stereocilia, can also be negatively impacted by high blood pressure. These stereocilia are not capable of self-regeneration, so any damage they incur is irreversible.
So regardless of the particular cause, permanent hearing loss can be the consequence of any damage. According to some studies, the percentage of individuals who have hearing loss is higher when they have high blood pressure readings. Those who reported higher blood pressure were also more likely to have more severe hearing loss. The impacts of hearing loss, in other words, can be reduced by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
In most cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. High blood pressure doesn’t cause “hot ears”. What are hot ears? It’s a symptom where your ears feel warm and grow red. Typically, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow related to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-related problems.
High blood pressure can sometimes worsen tinnitus symptoms. But how can you tell if tinnitus is a result of high blood pressure? The only way to tell for certain is to talk to your doctor. Tinnitus generally isn’t a symptom of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is often called “the silent killer”.
Usually, it’s not until you have your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is discovered. This is one good reason to be certain that you go to your yearly appointments.
How is high blood pressure managed?
High blood pressure is normally caused by a confluence of various different factors. That’s why lowering blood pressure may call for a variety of approaches. In general, you should talk with your primary care provider to lower your blood pressure. Here’s what that management might entail:
- Get more exercise: Getting regular exercise (or simply getting your body moving on a regular basis) can help decrease your overall blood pressure.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Eat more fruits and veggies and avoid things like red meat.
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of salt in your food, especially processed foods. Steer clear of processed food when you can and find lower salt alternatives if you can.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some situations, high blood pressure can’t be addressed with diet and exercise alone. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some situations where it will be necessary to use blood pressure medication as prescribed to manage hypertension.
A treatment plan to address your blood pressure can be developed by your primary care physician. Can you reverse any hearing loss caused by high blood pressure? The answer depends. There is some evidence to suggest that decreasing your blood pressure can help restore your hearing, at least in part. But at least some of the damage will probably be permanent.
Your hearing will have a better chance of recuperating if you address your blood pressure quickly.
Protecting your hearing
You can protect your hearing in other ways besides lowering your blood pressure. Here are a few ways:
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Loud sounds should be avoided because they can cause damage. If these locations aren’t completely avoidable, limit your time in noisy environments.
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by using earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be protected and early detection will be possible by getting regular hearing screenings.
We can help you maintain your hearing into the future, so book an appointment as soon as possible.