Were you aware that your chance 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 notice that your hearing is beginning to go. Your symptoms might advance slowly and be mostly invisible, but this kind of hearing loss is permanent. Years of noise damage is typically the cause. So how does hypertension cause hearing loss? The blood vessels in your ears and your blood vessels in general can be damaged by high blood pressure.
What is blood pressure (and why does it matter?)
Blood pressure is a measure of how rapidly blood flows through your circulatory system. When the blood moves faster than normal it means you have high blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to damage to your blood vessels. These damaged vessels become less flexible and more prone to blockages. A blockage can contribute to a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Healthcare professionals have a tendency to pay very close attention to a patient’s blood pressure because of this.
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 crisis happens when your blood pressure goes over 180/120. Immediate management is needed when this happens.
How can hypertension cause hearing loss?
The blood vessels in your ear and your whole body can be damaged by hypertension. As these blood vessels get 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 are not able to self-regeneration, so any damage they sustain is irreversible.
This means that damage to the ears, regardless of the cause, can contribute to irreversible hearing loss. Research indicates that individuals with normal blood pressure readings tend to have a far lower prevalence of hearing loss. Individuals who reported higher blood pressure were also more likely to have more severe hearing loss. The findings of the research 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?
Normally, the symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly noticeable. 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. Usually, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow relating to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-related problems.
In some cases, high blood pressure can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. But if your tinnitus was a result of high blood pressure, how would you know? It’s impossible to definitively tell without speaking to a doctor or hearing specialist. In general, however, tinnitus is not a sign of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” for a good reason.
Most individuals notice high blood pressure when they go in for an annual exam and get their vitals taken. It’s a good reason to be certain you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
High blood pressure is typically a result of a confluence of numerous different factors. As a result, you might have to take several different measures and use a variety of methods to successfully lower your blood pressure. In general, you should talk with your primary care provider to lower your blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Avoid sodium: Keep the sodium intake to a minimum. Avoid processed food when you can and find lower sodium alternatives if you can.
- Get more exercise: Exercising regularly (or simply getting your body moving on a regular basis) can help reduce your overall blood pressure.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, high blood pressure can’t be managed with diet and exercise alone. 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 control hypertension.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you lower blood pressure. Eat more fruits and veggies and abstain from things like red meat.
You and your doctor will establish a treatment plan to address your blood pressure. 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 degree by reducing your blood pressure, according to some evidence. But it’s also likely that at least some of the damage incurred will be irreversible.
The faster your high blood pressure is reversed, the more likely it will be that your hearing will get better.
How to safeguard your hearing
You can protect your hearing in other ways besides lowering your blood pressure. This could include:
- Wear hearing protection: You can safeguard your hearing by using earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Loud sounds should be avoided because they can cause damage. If these places are not entirely avoidable, minimize your time in loud environments.
- Talk to us: Having your hearing screened regularly can help you maintain your hearing and identify any hearing loss early.
We can help you maintain your hearing into the future, so book an appointment right away.