Were 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 may start to detect that your hearing is starting to fail. Your symptoms may progress gradually and be largely invisible, but this kind of hearing loss is irreversible. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how is hearing loss a result of hypertension? The blood vessels in 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 different speeds. High blood pressure means that this blood moves more rapidly than normal. Over time, this can lead to damage to your blood vessels. These damaged vessels become less elastic and more prone to blockages. Cardiovascular issues, including a stroke, can be the result of these blockages. Healthcare professionals usually pay very close attention to a patient’s blood pressure as a result.
What constitutes 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. Immediate treatment is needed when this occurs.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
Hypertension can cause widespread 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 endure lasting damage. Additionally, high blood pressure can negatively impact the stereocilia in your ear (the tiny hairs responsible for picking up vibrations). These stereocilia aren’t able to self-regeneration, so any damage they sustain is irreversible.
This means that damage to the ears, no matter the cause, can result in permanent hearing loss. Studies found that those 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 prevent the impacts of hearing loss.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
In the vast majority of cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. So-called “hot ears” aren’t a sign of high blood pressure. “Hot ears” is a condition where your ears feel hot and get red. Normally, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow related to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-associated issues.
High blood pressure can sometimes worsen tinnitus symptoms. But if your tinnitus was being caused by high blood pressure, how could you tell? It’s impossible to definitively tell without talking 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 called “the silent killer”.
Typically, it’s not until you get your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is detected. It’s a good reason to be certain you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
Usually, there are various factors that contribute to high blood pressure. 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. That management might look like the following:
- Avoid sodium: Pay attention to the amount of sodium in your food, particularly processed foods. Find lower salt alternatives when possible (or avoid processed foods when possible).
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Eat more fruits and veggies and avoid things like red meat.
- Get more exercise: Exercising regularly (or simply getting your body moving on a regular basis) can help lower your overall blood pressure.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, no amount of diet and exercise can prevent or effectively manage high blood pressure. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some situations where it will be necessary to take blood pressure medication as prescribed to control hypertension.
A treatment plan to address your blood pressure can be formulated by your primary care doctor. Can you reverse any hearing loss brought on by high blood pressure? In some circumstances the answer is yes and in others not so much. You might be able to rejuvenate your hearing to some extent by reducing your blood pressure, according to some evidence. But at least some of the damage will most likely be permanent.
Your hearing will have a better possibility of recovering if you treat your blood pressure quickly.
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 protect your hearing. This could include:
- Wear hearing protection: Earmuff, earplugs, and even noise canceling headphones can help you safeguard your hearing.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Loud sounds should be avoided because they can cause damage. If these places aren’t completely avoidable, minimize your time in noisy environments.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be preserved and early detection will be possible by getting routine hearing screenings.
If you have high blood pressure and are noticing symptoms of hearing loss, make sure to book an appointment with us so we can help you manage your hearing loss and safeguard your hearing health.