Hearing Loss and its Association with High Blood Pressure and Risks of Hypertension

Risks of hearing loss among workers with high blood pressure and risk of hypertension

A new study has discovered that bilateral high-frequency hearing loss (BHFHL) is related to soaring blood pressure levels and risks of hypertension for workers who are exposed to noises. Studies from China measured systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the hearing abilities of 21,403 workers who are exposed to noises in Chengdu. 

Statistics of BHFHL from men at work

Those who had BHFHL were generally older men, who resided in further away from the central city zone, and were employed in small, micro-enterprises in comparison to individuals who had normal hearing abilities. The pervasiveness of BHFHL grew during those years of noise exposure on the job. The prevalence of hypertension was 5.2 percent in normal hearing, 12.4 percent in mild BHFHL, and 25.1 percent in high BHFHL.  

Additional years of on-the-job noise exposure were significantly linked with increased SBP and DBP in men. There was a dose-response link between BHFHL and hypertension in both men and women. Test subjects who had mild and high BHFHL also had a higher risk of hypertension at 34 percent to 281 percent. More studies are necessary to determine the cause of this link.

If you have been exposed to loud noises while on the job, and are experiencing issues with your hearing, contact us a Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation.       

Contact Us