Are you aware that your risk of developing age-related hearing loss can be increased if you have high blood pressure?
Age-related hearing loss normally begins to manifest in your 40s, 50s, or 60s. You probably won’t even notice your progressing hearing loss even though it’s an irreversible condition. Usually, it’s the outcome of many years of noise-related damage. So how does hypertension cause hearing loss? The answer is that high blood pressure can lead to extensive damage to your blood vessels, including those in your ears.
Blood pressure and why it’s so significant
The blood that flows through your circulatory system can move at various speeds. High blood pressure means that this blood moves more quickly than normal. Over time, this can cause damage to your blood vessels. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their elasticity and often become blocked. A blockage can result in a stroke or other cardiovascular issues. That’s one of the reasons why healthcare professionals often pay close attention to your blood pressure.
So, what is considered to be high blood pressure?
Here are the basic ratings for high blood pressure:
- 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 crisis. Immediate management is needed when this happens.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
Hypertension can cause widespread damage to your blood vessels, including the blood vessels inside of your ear. Usually, the nerves in your ear will also be damaged along with these blood vessels. Likewise, high blood pressure can negatively impact the stereocilia in your ear (the little hairs responsible for picking up vibrations). When these stereocilia become damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively irreversible.
So regardless of the specific cause, irreversible hearing loss can be the consequence of any damage. Studies found that people who have normal blood pressure readings tend to have a much lower prevalence of hearing loss. Individuals who reported higher blood pressure were also more likely to have more extreme hearing loss. 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 feel like in your ears?
In most cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. High blood pressure doesn’t cause “hot ears”. “Hot ears” is a condition where your ears feel hot and become red. Hot ears are normally caused by changes in blood flow due to hormonal, emotional, and other issues not related to blood pressure.
In some circumstances, 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 tell for sure without talking to a doctor or hearing specialist. Tinnitus is generally not a symptom of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” for a good reason.
Typically, it isn’t until you get 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 is high blood pressure treated?
High blood pressure is typically caused by a confluence of numerous different factors. That’s why lowering blood pressure might call for a variety of approaches. In general, you should talk with your primary care doctor to lower your blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Avoid sodium: Pay attention to the amount of salt in your food, especially processed foods. Avoid processed food when possible and find lower salt alternatives if possible.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some situations, high blood pressure can’t be addressed 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.
- Get more exercise: Getting regular exercise (or simply moving around on a regular basis) can help decrease your overall blood pressure.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Essentially, stay away from foods like red meats and eat more vegetables and fruits.
You and your doctor will develop a treatment plan to address your blood pressure. Can you reverse any hearing loss brought on by high blood pressure? The answer depends. There is some evidence to suggest that decreasing your blood pressure can help revive your hearing, at least partially. But at least some of the damage will probably be permanent.
Your hearing will have a better possibility of recovering if you address your blood pressure promptly.
How to protect your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can definitely be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways you can safeguard your hearing. This could include:
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be maintained and early detection will be possible by getting routine hearing screenings.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to steer clear of overly loud noises where you can, as these noises can lead to damage to your ears. If these locations are not completely avoidable, minimize your time in noisy environments.
- Wear hearing protection: Earmuff, earplugs, and even noise canceling headphones can help you safeguard your hearing.
We can help you preserve your hearing into the future, so book an appointment right away.