According to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 75 million American adults have high blood pressure; that is approximately 1 in every 3 adults. Furthermore, 1 in 3 American adults have prehypertension, which is higher than normal blood pressure but not yet in the range of high blood pressure.
Is it a coincidence, that 1 in 3 American adults aged 65-74 have a hearing loss? Is there a link between high blood pressure and hearing loss? Read on as we explore these questions and more.
Exploring the Link Between High Blood Pressure & Hearing Loss
Researchers at the JJ Hospital in Mumbia conducted a study which found that people with high blood pressure could also be experiencing hearing loss as a result of it. Dr. Jagade, the lead author of the study and head of the ENT department at JJ Hospital, said, “We studied the loss of hearing in a group of 150 middle-aged patients. It was found that a patient with hypertension had hearing loss.” He continued, “Hypertension is a trigger for several kinds of diseases, but hearing loss affects quality of life and, therefore, it’s important to rectify it as early as possible.” (source)
How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Your Hearing Health?
The human auditory system is complex, and the fragile cells in our auditory system require a constant supply of well-oxygenated blood in order to support good, healthy hearing. So when this supply of well-oxygenated blood is interrupted, damage can occur. It’s important to know that these hair cells in your ear play an important role in converting “incoming sounds” into electrical signals that your brain can interpret. So as you can imagine, when one’s oxygenated blood is restricted due to certain health conditions, the lack of blood flow can cause these hair cells to die, resulting in hearing loss.
In short, health conditions that impact the normal circulation of your blood, such as high blood pressure, can in fact affect your hearing health.
Consult with the Hearing Experts at Kenwood Hearing Center
If you would like to get your hearing checked or speak with a hearing care professional to learn more, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. Whether you want to learn more about hearing loss or available treatment options, we are here to help you!