Are you aware that your risk of developing age-related hearing loss can be increased if you have high blood pressure?
From around 40 years old and up, you might start to detect that your hearing is starting to go. You most likely won’t even notice your progressing hearing loss even though it’s a permanent condition. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how does hypertension cause hearing loss? The blood vessels inside of your ears and your blood vessels in general can be damaged by high blood pressure.
Blood pressure and why it’s so significant
The blood that flows through your circulatory system can move at various 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 damaged vessels grow less elastic and more prone to blockages. A blockage can contribute to a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. That’s one reason 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 crisis. This kind of event should be addressed immediately.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
Hypertension can cause extensive damage to your blood vessels, including the blood vessels inside of your ear. As these blood vessels get damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also endure lasting damage. The little hairs in your ears responsible for picking up vibrations, called 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 contribute to irreversible hearing loss. According to some studies, the percentage of individuals 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 severe hearing loss. The effects of hearing loss, in other words, can be reduced by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
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 issues.
In some instances, high blood pressure can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. But how do you know if tinnitus is a result of high blood pressure? It’s impossible to tell for sure without speaking to a doctor or hearing specialist. In general, however, tinnitus is not a sign of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is frequently called “the silent killer”.
Usually, it isn’t until you get your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is discovered. It’s a good reason to be certain you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How is high blood pressure treated?
High blood pressure is typically a result of a confluence of numerous different factors. That’s why lowering blood pressure may require a variety of approaches. In general, you should talk with your primary care provider to lower your blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Get more exercise: Exercising regularly (or simply getting your body moving on a regular basis) can help decrease your overall blood pressure.
- Diet changes: Your blood pressure can be lowered by eating a Mediterranean diet. Eat more fruits and veggies and abstain from things like red meat.
- Avoid sodium: Keep the sodium intake to a minimum. Find lower sodium alternatives when you can (or avoid processed foods when you can).
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, no amount of diet and exercise can prevent or effectively treat high blood pressure. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some cases where it will be necessary to take blood pressure medication as prescribed to manage hypertension.
A treatment plan to address your blood pressure can be formulated by your primary care physician. Can you reverse any hearing loss brought on by high blood pressure? The answer depends. You might be able to restore your hearing to some extent by reducing your blood pressure, according to some evidence. But at least some of the damage will probably be permanent.
Your hearing will have a better possibility of recuperating if you treat your blood pressure promptly.
Protecting your hearing
You can protect your hearing in other ways besides lowering your blood pressure. This could include:
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by utilizing earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Talk to us: Getting your hearing tested regularly can help you maintain 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 absolutely need to be in a setting with overly loud noise, at least minimize your exposure time.
We can help you preserve your hearing into the future, so book an appointment as soon as possible.