It’s well recognized, that over longer periods of time, overeating will be detrimental to your health. Obesity is connected to quite a few health concerns. You can add hearing loss to high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes as a potential issue. It’s estimated that about 48 million individuals in the U . S ., around 20% of this country’s population, deal with hearing loss, and almost twice that amount of adults, 93 million, are obese. Throughout the country, these shocking statistics indicate a serious health issue.
What is The Relationship Between Loss of Hearing And Being Overweight?
Various studies have shown that loss of hearing and being overweight have a relationship. Although researchers are still investigating the link, it’s assumed that hearing loss and being overweight have a connection because of its effect on our circulatory system. Additionally, hearing loss is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure which are known to be linked to obesity.
Sound in the ear is detected by little hairs inside the inner ear. These tiny hairs, called stereocilia, require a steady flow of blood and oxygen to work properly. Obesity confines the blood flow in the body because the heart will have to work extra hard to get the blood flowing throughout the body, which means that there is less than ideal amount of blood flow available to your ear. This can irreversibly injury the ears. Because all of these diseases impact the blood flow, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure affect the inner ear in a similar way.
Keeping your weight under control is especially relevant as you age since age-related hearing loss is also related to a high fat mass index. When you were younger, your body’s metabolism worked faster and more efficiently, which is why you need to try to stick with healthy habits that you started when you were younger.
A healthy diet and exercise are great for your general health and your hearing.
Obesity Associated Loss of Hearing Treatments
It’s a possibility that you may not be capable of recovering your lost hearing if it’s triggered by obesity, however, it’s always good to have your hearing tested to find out the magnitude of your loss of hearing. If the damage is permanent, you may need a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing properly again.
If the damage is only slight, you might need to see your physician before your health worsens, about creating an exercise and diet plan to decrease the effect your weight has on your health. Your doctor should recommend a cardio intensive exercise program that will get your blood pumping and enhance your overall health. You will likely find that other aspects of your life also improve, like mental health, since consistent exercise has been shown to reduce depression.
Obesity-Related Hearing Loss, How to Avoid it
diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure Keeping your body healthy will also assist in keeping your ears in superior condition. A good place to start is to consult with a nutritionist who can help develop a strategy that’s customized for you and is focused on assisting you to attain your goals. The nutritionist can make certain you’re consuming healthy foods with the correct combination of nutrients, including foods that have plenty of iron, since, you guessed it, a lack of iron in your diet can exacerbate your hearing loss and lead to tinnitus.
Find out more concerning hearing loss and the treatment options available to let you hear better.