Did you know that according to the CDC, approximately 610,000 Americans die annually because of heart disease? Additionally, according to the former Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute, heart disease is the number one killer of women. Moreover, about one American dies because of cardiovascular disease every minute.
Despite these concerning statistics being readily available, very few people know or understand how heart disease is closely linked to other healthcare conditions like hearing loss. One of the earliest signs that there is something wrong with your heart health is hearing loss.
In our article, the team at Coastal Hearing Care has spoken about the connection between heart health and hearing loss to help you understand why it’s so important to routinely check your hearing.
The Connection Between Heart Health and Hearing Loss
So what exactly is the connection between heart health and hearing loss? The answer is simpler than you might realize or have been led to believe.
Essentially, the connection is blood flow. Over the years, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that good circulation plays a vital role in maintaining good hearing health.
These same studies have also concluded that when a person experiences inadequate blood flow, this can lead to the blood vessels in the inner ear becoming damaged, which in turn contributes to hearing loss. Moreover, since these cells in the cochlea don’t regenerate because of poor circulation, it often leads to permanent hearing loss.
For example, a study in the American Journal of Audiology revealed that impaired cardiovascular health negatively affects the ear’s central auditory and peripheral systems. They reviewed 60 years of cardiovascular research and its links to hearing loss to reach these findings.
Additionally, an Australian study examining more than 5,000 individuals uncovered a significant link between high blood pressure and an increased risk of hearing loss.
How Can You Improve Your Heart Health?
Fortunately, there are ways to improve your heart health to prevent hearing loss. Below we have briefly summed up three of the easiest ways you can follow with very little effort:
- Eat a healthy diet: You’re likely tired of hearing this but eating a healthy and balanced diet by incorporating more healthy foods and cutting back on unhealthy ones will improve your heart health. It will also reduce your likelihood of experiencing hearing loss. Most experts recommend eating more fruits and vegetables, proteins, and fiber.
- Live smoke-free: According to many experts, living a smoke-free life can have tremendous health benefits. Unsurprisingly, you can expect immediate heart health benefits if you’re a smoker who quits. Additionally, it’s also been proven that smokers and passive smokers have an increased likelihood of suffering from hearing loss, so not smoking will improve your heart health.
- Exercise routinely: It’s recommended that to improve heart health and stay healthy that adults engage in a minimum of an hour and a half of moderate aerobic activity every week. If you increase your physical activity, you improve the blood flow to your ears, which could decrease your hearing loss risk.
These are only a few ways to improve your heart health.
Speak With an Expert at Coastal Hearing Care for a Hearing Consultation
If you suffer from heart disease or any of its risk factors, it might be in your best interests to book a hearing evaluation at Coastal Hearing Care. Undergoing routine hearing evaluations will ensure you are kept up to date on your hearing health, and it could also help you identify if you have cardiovascular health concerns.
At Coastal Hearing Care, our team offers comprehensive hearing evaluations for the young and old. We can help you keep up to date on your hearing capabilities and devise a treatment plan if needed. To book a hearing consultation with our team, give us a call at 941-229-2122 or fill out the form below. We look forward to being of assistance.