Are you aware that your chance of developing age-related hearing loss can be increased if you have high blood pressure?
From around 40 years old and up, you may start to notice that your hearing is starting to fail. You most likely won’t even notice your developing hearing loss even though it’s an irreversible condition. 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 widespread damage to your blood vessels, including those in your ears.
What is blood pressure (and why is it important?)
Blood pressure is a measure of how quickly blood runs through your circulatory system. When the blood flows quicker than normal it means you have high blood pressure. Damage to your blood vessels can happen over time as a result. These damaged vessels become less elastic and more prone to blockages. A blockage can result in a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. That’s one reason why healthcare professionals frequently pay close attention to your blood pressure.
So, what is considered to be high blood pressure?
Here are the general ratings for high blood pressure:
- 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 goes over 180/120. Immediate treatment is needed when this happens.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
The blood vessels inside of your ear and your whole body can be damaged by hypertension. Normally, the nerves in your ear will also be damaged along with these blood vessels. The tiny hairs in your ears responsible for sensing vibrations, called stereocilia, can also be adversely impacted by high blood pressure. When these stereocilia become damaged, they don’t heal, so any damage is effectively permanent.
So regardless of the specific cause, irreversible hearing loss can be the result of any damage. According to some studies, the percentage of people who have hearing loss is higher when they have high blood pressure readings. People who have hearing loss are more likely to have higher blood pressure. The effects of hearing loss, in other words, can be decreased by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure feel like in your ears?
In the vast majority of cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. High blood pressure isn’t the cause of “hot ears”. What are hot ears? It’s a symptom in which your ears feel warm and grow red. Hot ears are usually caused by changes in blood flow due to hormonal, emotional, and other problems not related to blood pressure.
High blood pressure can sometimes exacerbate symptoms of tinnitus. But how do you know if tinnitus is from high blood pressure? It’s impossible to definitively tell without speaking to a doctor or hearing specialist. In general, however, tinnitus is not a sign of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is frequently called “the silent killer”.
The majority of individuals find out they have high blood pressure when they go in for an annual exam and get their vitals taken. It’s a good reason to make sure you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How is high blood pressure managed?
Normally, there are a number of factors that contribute to high blood pressure. That’s why lowering blood pressure may require a variety of approaches. In general, you should talk with your primary care provider to lower your blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Get more exercise: Getting regular exercise (or simply moving around on a regular basis) can help lower your overall blood pressure.
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of salt in your food, particularly processed foods. Avoid processed food when you can and find lower salt alternatives if you can.
- Diet changes: Your blood pressure can be reduced by eating a Mediterranean diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid things like red meat.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, high blood pressure can’t be addressed with diet and exercise alone. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some cases where it will be necessary to take blood pressure medication as prescribed to control hypertension.
You and your primary care provider will formulate a treatment plan to address your blood pressure. Can you reverse any hearing loss caused by high blood pressure? The answer depends. You may be able to rejuvenate your hearing to some degree by reducing your blood pressure, according to some evidence. But it’s also likely that at least some of the damage incurred will be irreversible.
The faster your high blood pressure is reversed, the more likely it will be that your hearing will get better.
Protecting your hearing
You can protect your hearing in other ways besides reducing your blood pressure. Here are several ways:
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to avoid overly loud noises where you can, as these noises can result in damage to your ears. If you absolutely need to be in a setting with overly loud noise, at least minimize your exposure time.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be protected and early detection will be possible by getting routine hearing screenings.
- Wear hearing protection: Earmuff, earplugs, and even noise canceling headphones can help you safeguard your hearing.
We can help you protect your hearing into the future, so make an appointment as soon as possible.
