Did you realize that high blood pressure can also increase your risk of developing age-related hearing loss?
From around 40 years old and up, you might begin to notice that your hearing is beginning to fail. Your symptoms may progress gradually and be largely invisible, but this type of hearing loss is irreversible. Years of noise damage is usually the cause. So how does hypertension cause 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 cause damage to your blood vessels. These blood vessels that have been damaged lose their flexibility and frequently become blocked. Cardiovascular problems, including a stroke, can be the result of these blockages. Healthcare professionals usually pay very close attention to a patient’s blood pressure for this reason.
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 happens when your blood pressure is over 180/120. This kind of event should be addressed immediately.
How does 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 sensing vibrations, known as stereocilia, can also be adversely impacted by high blood pressure. When these stereocilia get damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively irreversible.
This means that damage to the ears, no matter the cause, can contribute to permanent hearing loss. Research indicates that those with normal blood pressure readings tend to have a much lower prevalence of hearing loss. Individuals who reported higher blood pressure were also more likely to have more severe hearing loss. The effects of hearing loss, in other words, can be decreased by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure make your ears feel like?
Usually, the symptoms of high blood pressure are barely noticeable. High blood pressure doesn’t cause “hot ears”. What are hot ears? It’s a symptom where your ears feel warm and get red. Hot ears are normally caused by changes in blood flow due to hormonal, emotional, and other problems not related to blood pressure.
In some cases, high blood pressure can worsen tinnitus symptoms. But how can you tell if tinnitus is a result of high blood pressure? It’s impossible to definitively tell without speaking 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 isn’t until you have your vitals taken at your annual exam that high blood pressure is detected. This is one good reason to make sure you go to your yearly appointments.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
High blood pressure is usually caused by a confluence of many different factors. Consequently, you might have to take several different steps and use a variety of approaches to effectively lower your blood pressure. In general, you should work with your primary care doctor to lower your blood pressure. That management may look like the following:
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, high blood pressure can’t be addressed with diet and exercise alone. Although diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some situations where it will be necessary to take blood pressure medication as prescribed to control hypertension.
- Avoid sodium: Keep the salt intake to a minimum. Steer clear of processed food when possible and find lower sodium alternatives if possible.
- Get more exercise: Exercising regularly (or simply moving around on a regular basis) can help decrease your overall blood pressure.
- Diet changes: Your blood pressure can be lowered by eating a Mediterranean diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid things like red meat.
A treatment plan to address your blood pressure can be formulated by your primary care doctor. Can you reverse any hearing loss brought on by high blood pressure? The answer depends. You might be able to restore your hearing to some extent by lowering your blood pressure, according to some evidence. But at least some of the damage will probably be permanent.
The faster your high blood pressure is corrected, the more likely it will be that your hearing will return.
How to protect your hearing
While lowering your blood pressure can certainly be good for your health (and your hearing), there are other ways you can protect your hearing. Here are a few ways:
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by using earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Loud sounds should be avoided because they can cause damage. If these settings aren’t completely avoidable, limit your time in loud environments.
- Talk to us: Getting your hearing screened regularly can help you protect your hearing and identify any hearing loss early.
We can help you preserve your hearing into the future, so book an appointment as soon as possible.