When most people think about heart health, they imagine things like heart disease, high blood pressure, or stroke. However, what they fail to realize is that cardiovascular health is also closely linked to our ears. It’s essential to understand this connection to better care for your heart and your hearing.
Below, will explore the connection between hearing and cardiovascular health and what can be done to protect both.
What Is Cardiovascular Health?
Cardiovascular health refers to the health of blood vessels and the heart. Your heart supplies blood, oxygen, and nutrients to all of your organs, including your ears. Those nutrients help to keep the small structures inside your ears healthy and strong so that you can hear effectively.
When the cardiovascular system is healthy, it effectively supplies oxygen where it is needed. However, when your cardiovascular system has issues, it can impact how efficiently your organs work.
Some of the most common cardiovascular health problems are:
- High blood pressure
- Poor circulation
- High blood pressure
How Hearing Works
To better understand the connection, let’s explore how hearing works. In the inner ear, there are tiny hair cells that detect sound. Those hair cells send signals to the brain, which understands what you’re hearing. They are very sensitive and require a steady flow of oxygen-rich blood to work effectively.
If blood flow is restricted or blocked, the hair cells can be damaged. Unfortunately, once the hair cells are damaged, they cannot regenerate, which can lead to hearing loss.
How Heart Health Affects Hearing
Studies have repeatedly shown that poor cardiovascular health is indicative of hearing problems.
Below are several ways the two are connected:
- Reduced blood flow
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Reduced Blood Flow
When the heart fails to efficiently pump blood, it can damage the hair cells in the inner ear. This can also happen when blood vessels become blocked or narrowed.
High Blood Pressure
While most people are aware of the dangers of high blood pressure, they might not realize its impact on the inner ear. Small blood vessels in the inner ear become damaged in those people with high blood pressure, affecting hearing.
Heart Disease
Those with heart disease have a much greater instance of hearing problems when compared to those with healthy hearts.
Stroke
When blood flow to the brain is reduced or completely blocked, a stroke can occur. If the part of the brain is affected that helps with hearing, a stroke can cause immediate hearing loss and problems understanding speech.
Signs to Watch Out For
While hearing loss related to cardiovascular problems can occur slowly, it’s important to watch for the following signs:
- You often ask people to repeat themselves.
- You have trouble hearing in noisy places.
- You turn up the TV or radio louder than others prefer.
- You feel like people are mumbling or speaking unclearly.
If you recognize any of those symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional. They can assess your symptoms and make any treatment recommendations necessary.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart and Hearing
Taking steps to maintain proper heart health is also key to protecting your hearing. Below are some helpful tips:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercise regularly to improve blood flow and keep your heart strong.
- Avoid smoking, which can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of both heart disease and hearing loss.
- Limit salt and sugar to help control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Get regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor your heart health.
- Have your hearing tested regularly, especially if you have heart issues or are over age 50.
Conclusion
Even if you think your ears and heart have nothing in common, they do. Healthy blood flow is necessary for the health of both. By taking care of your cardiovascular system, you are also reducing the risk of hearing loss.
By paying attention to both your heart and hearing health, you can stay active, alert, and connected to the world around you. If you have concerns about your hearing or your heart, speak with your healthcare provider or a hearing health professional. Early action can make a big difference.