Why heart health is important for your hearing

Chances are, you’ve had a conversation (or many!) with your health care provider about your heart health over the years. While we all know that eating well and exercising can help keep our heart in good shape, you might be surprised to learn that your hearing can be affected by these factors, too.

Heart disease affects more than 1/3 of Americans, and continues to top the list of leading causes of death for both women and men. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that middle-aged and older adults who have trouble seeing, hearing or both might have an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

The good news is that screening for sensory deficits, such as vision and hearing loss, and treating them with simple solutions like eyeglasses or hearing aids is easier than ever. And taking care of your heart is good for both your heart and sensory systems.

What’s the connection between hearing and heart health?

Like all body parts, your ears need good blood flow to work correctly. If you could zoom in on the inner ear, you would see small, delicate hair cells in the cochlea, the fluid-filled organ that helps you hear. As the fluid moves around, it stimulates a process that translates sound waves into electrical impulses that your brain can interpret as specific sounds.

Pretty amazing, right?

Unfortunately, many types of cardiovascular disease can cut down on the blood flow to your ears and cause damage to your hearing. This type of hearing loss — sensorineural hearing loss —is permanent, although it can often be helped by assistive technology like hearing aids.

Narrow or hardened arteries and blood vessels can also cause a specific kind of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that sounds like a heartbeat. It’s important to see your doctor if you experience this condition, called pulsatile tinnitus. While it can be harmless, it sometimes indicates worsening heart disease or other problems.

“An alarming number of Americans don’t understand how serious the threat of heart disease is to them personally, or how closely intertwined it is with other health conditions, such as hearing health,” said Sergei Kochkin, PhD, hearing industry market researcher and former Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute. “We urge women and men alike to know their risks and to take action today to protect their heart and hearing health.”

In addition to the impact of heart disease on the anatomy of your ears, the link between hearing health and heart health goes the other direction, as well. People with hearing loss may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that people with hearing loss are 20% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, even if they were previously healthy. While researchers aren’t sure of the exact connection, some believe that sensory deficits like hearing and vision loss may make it more difficult for people to exercise, socialize and access healthy food options, all of which can negatively impact heart health.

How to help your heart

To keep your heart in good shape, try these healthy lifestyle tips from AHA:

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Stay active through regular exercise.
• Get enough sleep.
• Practice mindfulness.
• Manage stress.
• Keep your mind and body fit.
• Connect socially.

And you can always count on Associated Audiologists to help you identify and treat any hearing concerns you may have. Learn more about hearing loss or schedule an appointment with one of our doctoral-level audiologists at any of our eight convenient locations in Kansas and Missouri.

Here’s to healthy hearts and hearing!