Obesity and Hearing Loss

It is common knowledge that overeating is unhealthy, especially over a long period of time. Obesity is a major health condition that is not only linked to diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease, but it is also a factor that can cause hearing loss. Out of about 48 million Americans, roughly 20 percent of the population have hearing loss. In adults it’s almost twice that number. Approximately 93 million Americans are obese. This is a serious health concern. 
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The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Obesity

Studies have indicated that there is a link between obesity and hearing loss, but that precise connection is still being studied. It is hypothesized that the connection between the two factors affects the circulatory system. Hearing loss has also been associated with diabetes and high blood pressure - two other factors that are tied to obesity. 

Ears detect sound with stereocilia, tiny hairs located in the inner ears. Stereocilia require a steady flow of blood and oxygen in order to properly function. Obesity causes the blood flow to become restricted. As a result, the heart needs to work harder to pump blood throughout the entire body. This will cause your inner ears to not function properly, due to the lack of blood flow. This can cause irreversible damage to the ear. Diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure impact the inner ear in a similar way: each of these diseases adversely affects your circulation.

Maintaining a healthy weight is vital as you get older. Age-related hearing loss is connected to a high fat mass index. During adolescence, your body’s metabolism was more efficient and worked quickly. This is why it’s important to try and keep up with healthy eating habits that were followed at a younger age. 

Your hearing health, and general health will benefit from a healthy diet and exercise.

Obesity, Hearing Loss, and Treatment

If your hearing loss was caused by obesity, you won’t get it back, but it’s good to maintain hearing health precautions and take care of your overall health to preserve the hearing abilities that you still have. Get your hearing tested to determine your range of hearing loss. Permanent damage to your hearing may be treated with a hearing aid or assistive listening device.

If your hearing loss is not too severe, talk to your doctor before your health gets worse. You can ask for suggestions to make an exercise and diet plan to reduce the impact of obesity on your hearing health and overall well being. Your doctor will most likely recommend a cardio intensive exercise routine, which will circulate your blood and improve your general health. You will probably benefit from this by having better mental health, which can help reduce depression. 

Preventing Obesity-Related Hearing Loss

Maintain a healthy diet and regularly exercise to avoid obesity-related health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Following a healthy diet will keep your hearing healthy in check. You can talk to a nutritionist to help you achieve these goals. The nutritionist will encourage you to consume foods with the proper balance of nutrients. These will include foods that are high in iron. A lack of iron in your diet can worsen your hearing loss and lead to tinnitus. 

Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. 

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