Did you know that high blood pressure can also increase your risk of developing age-related hearing loss?
From around 40 years old and up, you may begin to notice that your hearing is starting to go. Your symptoms could advance gradually and be mostly invisible, but this type of hearing loss is permanent. Typically, it’s the result of many years of noise-related damage. So how does hypertension lead to hearing loss? The blood vessels in your ears and your blood vessels in general can be damaged by high blood pressure.
What is blood pressure (and why does it matter?)
The blood that runs through your circulatory system can move at various speeds. High blood pressure means that this blood moves more quickly than normal. Over time, this can lead to damage to your blood vessels. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their flexibility and frequently become blocked. Cardiovascular problems, such as a stroke, can be the consequence of these blockages. That’s one of the reasons why healthcare professionals frequently pay close attention to your blood pressure.
So, what is regarded as high blood pressure?
The general ratings for blood pressure include the following:
- Normal: 120/8o
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 or Higher/90 or higher
When your blood pressure goes as high as 180/120, it’s considered a hypertensive emergency. Immediate management is needed when this occurs.
How can hypertension cause hearing loss?
Hypertension can cause extensive damage to your blood vessels, including the blood vessels in your ear. As these blood vessels get damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also suffer lasting damage. The tiny hairs in your ears responsible for picking up vibrations, known as stereocilia, can also be adversely impacted by high blood pressure. When these stereocilia become damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively irreversible.
This means that damage to the ears, regardless of the cause, can contribute to permanent hearing loss. Research indicates that those who have normal blood pressure readings tend to have a far lower prevalence of hearing loss. People who have hearing loss are more likely to have higher blood pressure. The effects of hearing loss, in other words, can be reduced by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
In the vast majority of cases, high blood pressure is a symptomless condition. High blood pressure isn’t the cause of “hot ears”. “Hot ears” is a condition where your ears feel hot and become red. Hot ears are normally caused by changes in blood flow due to hormonal, emotional, and other issues not related to blood pressure.
In some cases, high blood pressure can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. But if your tinnitus was a result of high blood pressure, how could you tell? It’s impossible to tell for sure without talking to a doctor or hearing specialist. In general, however, tinnitus isn’t a sign of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is often referred to as “the silent killer”.
Usually, it’s not until you have your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is discovered. It’s a good reason to make sure you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How is high blood pressure treated?
Normally, there are various factors that contribute to high blood pressure. As a result, you might have to take numerous different steps and use a variety of approaches to successfully lower your blood pressure. Your primary care physician should be where you address your high blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, no amount of diet and exercise can counter or successfully manage high blood pressure. Even though diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some situations where it will be necessary to use blood pressure medication as prescribed to manage hypertension.
- Avoid sodium: Keep the sodium intake to a minimum. Steer clear of processed food when possible and find lower sodium alternatives if you can.
- Get more exercise: Your blood pressure can be managed by getting regular exercise.
- Diet changes: Your blood pressure can be reduced by eating a Mediterranean diet. Essentially, stay away from foods like red meats and eat more fruits and vegetables.
A treatment plan to manage your blood pressure can be developed by your primary care physician. Can you reverse any hearing loss caused by high blood pressure? The answer depends. You might 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 harm incurred will be irreversible.
The faster your high blood pressure is reversed, the more likely it will be that your hearing will get better.
Safeguarding your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can definitely be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways to safeguard your hearing. This could include:
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to steer clear of overly loud noises when you can, as these noises can result in damage to your ears. If you absolutely need to be in an environment with overly loud noise, at least limit your exposure time.
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by utilizing earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be preserved and early detection will be possible by getting regular hearing screenings.
If you have high blood pressure and are showing symptoms of hearing loss, be certain to book an appointment with us so we can help you address your hearing loss and safeguard your hearing health.