Are 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 fail. Your symptoms might advance gradually and be mostly invisible, but this kind of hearing loss is permanent. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how is hearing loss a result of hypertension? The answer is that high blood pressure can lead to extensive damage to your blood vessels, including those in your ears.
What is blood pressure (and why is it important?)
The blood that runs through your circulatory system can move at different speeds. When the blood moves quicker than normal it means you have high blood pressure. Over time, this can result in damage to your blood vessels. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their elasticity and often become blocked. A blockage can contribute to a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. That’s one of the reasons why healthcare professionals often pay close attention to your blood pressure.
What is considered 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
A hypertensive emergency occurs when your blood pressure is over 180/120. This kind of event should be treated immediately.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
The blood vessels in your ear and your entire body can be damaged by hypertension. As these blood vessels get damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also suffer lasting damage. The little hairs in your ears responsible for picking up vibrations, called stereocilia, can also be negatively impacted by high blood pressure. When these stereocilia get damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively irreversible.
This means that damage to the ears, no matter the cause, can contribute to irreversible hearing loss. Studies found that those with healthy blood pressure readings tend to have a much lower prevalence of hearing loss. People 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 impacts of hearing loss.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
Normally, the symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly noticeable. So-called “hot ears” are not a sign of high blood pressure. “Hot ears” is an affliction where your ears feel hot and get red. Hot ears are usually caused by changes in blood flow due to hormonal, emotional, and other problems not related to blood pressure.
In some cases, high blood pressure can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. But how can you tell if tinnitus is from high blood pressure? The only way to tell for sure is to talk to your doctor. Tinnitus generally isn’t a symptom of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” for a good reason.
Typically, it’s not until you get your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is detected. This is one good reason to make sure you go to your yearly appointments.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
High blood pressure is usually a result of a confluence of many different factors. That’s why lowering blood pressure may call for 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 salt in your food, especially processed foods. Avoid processed food when you can and find lower sodium alternatives if you can.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you reduce blood pressure. Eat more fruits and vegetables and abstain from things like red meat.
- Get more exercise: Getting regular exercise (or simply moving around on a regular basis) can help decrease your overall blood pressure.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some situations, high blood pressure can’t be managed with diet and exercise alone. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some situations where it will be necessary to use blood pressure medication as prescribed to control hypertension.
A treatment plan to address your blood pressure can be developed by your primary care doctor. Can you reverse any hearing loss caused by high blood pressure? In some cases 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.
The faster your high blood pressure is lowered, the more likely it will be that your hearing will return.
Safeguarding your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can certainly be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways you can safeguard your hearing. This could include:
- Wear hearing protection: Earmuff, earplugs, and even noise canceling headphones can help you safeguard your hearing.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be maintained and early detection will be possible by getting regular hearing screenings.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to steer clear of overly loud noises when you can, as these noises can cause damage to your ears. If these settings aren’t completely avoidable, minimize your time in loud environments.
If you have high blood pressure and are showing symptoms of hearing loss, make sure to book an appointment with us so we can help you treat your hearing loss and protect your hearing health.