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 might begin to notice that your hearing is beginning to fail. You probably won’t even detect your developing hearing loss even though it’s a permanent condition. Usually, it’s the result of many years of noise-related damage. So how does hypertension lead to hearing loss? 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?)
The blood that runs through your circulatory system can move at different speeds. 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 damaged lose their elasticity and often become blocked. Cardiovascular problems, such as a stroke, can be the consequence of these blockages. Healthcare professionals usually pay very close attention to a patient’s blood pressure for this reason.
So, what is regarded as high blood pressure?
The basic ratings for blood pressure include the following:
- 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 considered a hypertensive emergency. This type of event should be treated immediately.
How does hypertension cause hearing loss?
The blood vessels inside of your ear and your entire body can be damaged by hypertension. As these blood vessels become damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also endure lasting damage. Likewise, high blood pressure can negatively affect the stereocilia in your ear (the tiny hairs responsible for sensing vibrations). These stereocilia aren’t capable of self-regeneration, so any damage they incur is permanent.
This means that damage to the ears, regardless of the cause, can contribute to permanent hearing loss. According to some studies, the percentage of people 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 extreme hearing loss. The findings of the study make clear that keeping your blood pressure under control can help you prevent the impacts of hearing loss.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
Normally, the symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly noticeable. So-called “hot ears” are not a sign of high blood pressure. “Hot ears” is an affliction where your ears feel hot and become red. Hot ears are normally caused by changes in blood flow due to hormonal, emotional, and other issues not associated with blood pressure.
In some circumstances, high blood pressure can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. But how can you tell if tinnitus is a result of 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 often referred to as “the silent killer”.
Usually, it’s not until you have your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is discovered. It’s a good reason to make sure you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
Normally, there are various factors that contribute to high blood pressure. That’s why lowering blood pressure might require a variety of strategies. In general, you should talk with your primary care doctor to lower your blood pressure. That management might look like the following:
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of sodium in your food, especially processed foods. Find lower sodium alternatives when you can (or stay away from processed foods when you can).
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Basically, stay away from foods like red meats and eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Get more exercise: Your blood pressure can be managed by exercising regularly.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, no amount of diet and exercise can counter or effectively treat high blood pressure. In those cases, (and even in cases where lifestyle changes have helped), medication could be needed to help you manage your hypertension.
You and your primary care provider will develop a treatment plan to deal with your blood pressure. Can hearing loss as a result of high blood pressure be reversed? In some circumstances the answer is yes and in others not so much. There is some evidence to indicate that lowering your blood pressure can help restore your hearing, at least partially. But at least some of the damage will most likely be permanent.
Your hearing will have a better chance of recovering if you treat your blood pressure promptly.
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 safeguard your hearing. Here are several ways:
- Talk to us: Having your hearing tested regularly can help you protect your hearing and identify any hearing loss early.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Loud sounds should be avoided because they can cause damage. If you really need to be in an environment with overly loud noise, at least limit your exposure time.
- Wear hearing protection: You can safeguard your hearing by utilizing earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
If you have high blood pressure and are noticing 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.