Did you realize that high blood pressure can also increase your risk of developing age-related hearing loss?
From about 40 years old and up, you might start to notice that your hearing is beginning to fail. You probably won’t even notice your developing hearing loss even though it’s a permanent condition. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how is hearing loss a result of hypertension? The answer is that high blood pressure can cause extensive damage to your blood vessels, including those in your ears.
What is blood pressure (and why is it important?)
Blood pressure is a measure of how quickly blood flows through your circulatory system. When the blood moves faster than normal it means you have high blood pressure. Over time, this can cause damage to your blood vessels. These damaged vessels become less elastic and more prone to blockages. Cardiovascular issues, such as a stroke, can be the result of these blockages. Healthcare professionals have a tendency to pay very close attention to a patient’s blood pressure for this reason.
So, what is considered to be 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. This kind of event should be addressed immediately.
How can hypertension cause hearing loss?
The blood vessels in your ear and your entire body can be damaged by hypertension. As these blood vessels get damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also suffer lasting damage. The little hairs in your ears responsible for sensing vibrations, known as stereocilia, can also be negatively impacted by high blood pressure. When these stereocilia get damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively irreversible.
This means that damage to the ears, no matter the cause, can cause irreversible hearing loss. Research indicates that people who have healthy blood pressure readings tend to have a far lower prevalence of hearing loss. Individuals who have hearing loss are more likely to have higher blood pressure. The findings of the research make clear that keeping your blood pressure under control can help you prevent the effects of hearing loss.
What does high blood pressure feel like in your ears?
In most cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. High blood pressure doesn’t cause “hot ears”. “Hot ears” is a condition where your ears feel hot and become red. Typically, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow related to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-related problems.
In some cases, high blood pressure can worsen tinnitus symptoms. But how can you tell if tinnitus is from high blood pressure? It’s impossible to tell for sure without speaking to a doctor or hearing specialist. Tinnitus is generally not a symptom of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is frequently called “the silent killer”.
Most individuals find out they have high blood pressure when they go in for an annual exam and have their vitals taken. This is one good reason to be certain that you go to your yearly appointments.
How is high blood pressure treated?
Typically, there are a number of factors that contribute to high blood pressure. Consequently, you may have to take numerous different steps and use a variety of methods to effectively lower your blood pressure. In general, you should work with your primary care doctor to lower your blood pressure. That management might look like the following:
- Get more exercise: Your blood pressure can be kept under control by getting regular exercise.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Eat more fruits and vegetables and abstain from things like red meat.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some situations, high blood pressure can’t be addressed with diet and exercise alone. In those instances, (and even in situations where lifestyle changes have helped), medication could be required to help you control your hypertension.
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of salt in your food, especially processed foods. Avoid processed food when possible and find lower salt alternatives if you can.
A treatment plan to manage your blood pressure can be formulated by your primary care doctor. Can you reverse any hearing loss brought on by high blood pressure? The answer depends. You may be able to restore your hearing to some extent by reducing your blood pressure, according to some evidence. But it’s also likely that at least some of the damage incurred will be irreversible.
Your hearing will have a better chance of recovering if you address your blood pressure quickly.
How to safeguard your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can certainly be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways you can protect your hearing. This could include:
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to avoid overly loud noises where you can, as these noises can lead to damage to your ears. If these locations are not completely avoidable, minimize your time in loud environments.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be maintained and early detection will be possible by getting routine hearing screenings.
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by utilizing earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
If you have high blood pressure and are showing symptoms of hearing loss, be certain to book an appointment with us so we can help you treat your hearing loss and safeguard your hearing health.