Did you know that high blood pressure can also increase your chance of developing age-related hearing loss?
From around 40 years old and up, you may start to detect that your hearing is starting to fail. Your symptoms could advance gradually and be largely invisible, but this type of hearing loss is permanent. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how is hearing loss a result of 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 moves more quickly than normal. Damage to your blood vessels can occur over time because of this. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their flexibility and often become blocked. A blockage can result in a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. That’s one of the reasons why healthcare professionals frequently pay close attention to your blood pressure.
What is considered high blood pressure?
Here are the basic ratings for high blood pressure:
- Normal: 120/8o
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 or Higher/90 or higher
When your blood pressure goes as high as 180/120, it’s regarded as a hypertensive emergency. This kind of event should be addressed immediately.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
The blood vessels inside of your ear and your entire body can be damaged by hypertension. Normally, the nerves in your ear will also be damaged along with these blood vessels. The little hairs in your ears responsible for picking up vibrations, called stereocilia, can also be negatively impacted by high blood pressure. These stereocilia aren’t capable of self-regeneration, so any damage they sustain is permanent.
So regardless of the specific cause, irreversible hearing loss can be the consequence of any damage. According to some research, the percentage of individuals who have hearing loss is higher when they have high blood pressure readings. Individuals who reported higher blood pressure were also more likely to have more extreme hearing loss. The impacts of hearing loss, in other words, can be decreased by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
Usually, the symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly noticeable. High blood pressure isn’t the cause of “hot ears”. “Hot ears” is an affliction where your ears feel hot and become red. Typically, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow relating to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-related issues.
In some cases, high blood pressure can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. But how do you know if tinnitus is from high blood pressure? The only way to know for certain is to speak with your doctor. In general, however, tinnitus isn’t a symptom of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” for a good reason.
The majority of individuals notice high blood pressure when they go in for an annual exam and have their vitals taken. It’s a good reason to make sure you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How is high blood pressure managed?
Usually, there are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure. As a result, you might have to take several different steps and use a variety of approaches to effectively lower your blood pressure. Your primary care doctor should be where you address your high blood pressure. That management may look like the following:
- Get more exercise: Your blood pressure can be managed by getting regular exercise.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, high blood pressure can’t be addressed with diet and exercise alone. Although diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some cases where it will be necessary to take blood pressure medication as prescribed to control hypertension.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Basically, stay away from foods like red meats and eat more vegetables and fruits.
- Avoid sodium: Pay attention to the amount of sodium in your food, especially processed foods. Find lower salt alternatives when possible (or avoid processed foods when possible).
You and your primary care provider will establish a treatment plan to address your blood pressure. Can you reverse any hearing loss brought on by high blood pressure? In some circumstances the answer is yes and in others not so much. There is some evidence to indicate that decreasing your blood pressure can help restore your hearing, at least partially. But it’s also likely that at least some of the damage incurred will be irreversible.
The sooner your high blood pressure is lowered, the more likely it will be that your hearing will return.
How to protect your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can definitely be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways to protect your hearing. This could include:
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be maintained and early detection will be possible by getting routine hearing screenings.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to steer clear of overly loud noises where you can, as these noises can result in damage to your ears. If you absolutely need to be in a setting with overly loud noise, at least minimize your exposure time.
- Wear hearing protection: Earmuff, earplugs, and even noise canceling headphones can help you safeguard your hearing.
We can help you protect your hearing into the future, so book an appointment right away.
