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 may begin to detect that your hearing is starting to go. You probably won’t even notice your progressing hearing loss even though it’s an irreversible 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
Blood pressure is a measure of how quickly blood moves through your circulatory system. When the blood flows quicker than normal it means you have high blood pressure. Damage to your blood vessels can occur over time as a result. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their flexibility and often become blocked. Cardiovascular problems, like a stroke, can be the consequence 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?
The general 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
A hypertensive emergency occurs when your blood pressure is over 180/120. This type 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 in your ear. As these blood vessels become damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also suffer lasting damage. Likewise, high blood pressure can negatively affect the stereocilia in your ear (the little hairs responsible for sensing vibrations). These stereocilia aren’t able to self-regeneration, so any damage they sustain is permanent.
This means that damage to the ears, no matter the cause, can result in irreversible hearing loss. Studies found that people with 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 study make clear that keeping your blood pressure under control can help you avoid the effects of hearing loss.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
In most cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. High blood pressure isn’t the cause of “hot ears”. What are hot ears? It’s a symptom in which your ears feel warm and grow red. Normally, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow related to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-associated problems.
High blood pressure can sometimes worsen symptoms of tinnitus. But how do you know if tinnitus is from high blood pressure? It’s impossible to definitively tell without speaking to a doctor or hearing specialist. In general, however, tinnitus isn’t a sign of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is frequently referred to as “the silent killer”.
Usually, it isn’t until you have your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is detected. It’s a good reason to make sure you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
High blood pressure is normally a result of a confluence of many different factors. That’s why lowering blood pressure might call for a variety of strategies. In general, you should talk with your primary care doctor to lower your blood pressure. That management may look like the following:
- 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.
- Get more exercise: Your blood pressure can be kept under control by exercising regularly.
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of sodium in your food, particularly processed foods. Steer clear of processed food when possible and find lower sodium alternatives if you can.
- 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 may be necessary to help you manage your hypertension.
A treatment plan to manage your blood pressure can be formulated by your primary care physician. Can hearing loss as a result of high blood pressure be reversed? The answer depends. You might 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 permanent.
The sooner your high blood pressure is reversed, the more likely it will be that your hearing will get better.
Safeguarding your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can certainly be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways to protect your hearing. Here are several ways:
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by using earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Loud noises should be avoided because they can cause damage. If these places aren’t completely avoidable, limit your time in noisy environments.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be protected and early detection will be possible by getting regular hearing screenings.
We can help you protect your hearing into the future, so make an appointment as soon as possible.