Did you realize 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. You most likely won’t even notice your progressing hearing loss even though it’s a permanent condition. Typically, it’s the outcome of many years of noise-related damage. So how is hearing loss a result of hypertension? The blood vessels inside of 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 various speeds. High blood pressure means that this blood flows more quickly than normal. Damage to your blood vessels can occur over time as a result. These blood vessels that have been damaged lose their elasticity and often become blocked. Cardiovascular issues, including a stroke, can be the consequence of these blockages. That’s one of the reasons why healthcare professionals often pay close attention to your blood pressure.
What is considered 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 gets as high as 180/120, it’s regarded as a hypertensive emergency. This type of event should be treated immediately.
How can hypertension cause hearing loss?
The blood vessels inside of your ear and your whole body can be damaged by hypertension. Usually, the nerves in your ear will also be damaged along with these blood vessels. Additionally, high blood pressure can negatively affect the stereocilia in your ear (the little hairs responsible for picking up vibrations). When these stereocilia get damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively permanent.
So regardless of the particular cause, irreversible hearing loss can be the consequence of any damage. Research indicates that people who have healthy blood pressure readings tend to have a much lower prevalence of hearing loss. People 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 avoid the effects of hearing loss.
What does high blood pressure feel like in your ears?
Usually, the symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly noticeable. High blood pressure doesn’t cause “hot ears”. What are hot ears? It’s a symptom where your ears feel warm and get red. Typically, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow relating to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-associated issues.
High blood pressure can sometimes exacerbate symptoms of tinnitus. But how can you tell if tinnitus is a result of high blood pressure? It’s impossible to tell for sure without talking to a doctor or hearing specialist. Tinnitus generally isn’t a symptom of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is frequently called “the silent killer”.
Most people find out they have high blood pressure when they go in for a yearly exam and get their vitals taken. This is one good reason to make sure you go to your yearly appointments.
How is high blood pressure treated?
High blood pressure is normally caused by a confluence of numerous different factors. As a result, you may have to take numerous different measures and use a variety of approaches to effectively lower your blood pressure. In general, you should talk with your primary care doctor to lower your blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, no amount of diet and exercise can prevent or successfully manage high blood pressure. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some cases where it will be necessary to use blood pressure medication as prescribed to manage hypertension.
- Diet changes: Your blood pressure can be lowered by eating a Mediterranean diet. Basically, avoid foods like red meats and eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of sodium in your food, particularly processed foods. Find lower sodium alternatives when possible (or stay away from processed foods when possible).
- Get more exercise: Getting regular exercise (or simply getting your body moving on a regular basis) can help reduce your overall blood pressure.
A treatment plan to manage your blood pressure can be developed by your primary care doctor. 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. You might be able to rejuvenate your hearing to some degree by lowering 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 recovering if you treat your blood pressure quickly.
How to safeguard your hearing
You can safeguard your hearing in other ways besides lowering your blood pressure. This could include:
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be preserved and early detection will be possible by getting regular hearing screenings.
- Wear hearing protection: You can safeguard your hearing by utilizing earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to avoid overly loud noises when you can, as these noises can result in damage to your ears. If these settings aren’t completely avoidable, minimize your time in noisy environments.
We can help you preserve your hearing into the future, so make an appointment as soon as possible.