February is American Heart Month, and as a hearing aid company, we have a specific topic we’d like to discuss in regard to your heart health: your hearing.
Various studies have shown that cardiovascular health has an impact on your hearing.
In fact, during American Heart Month in a previous year, we wrote about how Healthy Hearing is Linked to a Healthy Heart, stressing that a link has been established between heart disease and hearing health.
We want to explain again how your heart health is related to your hearing, and if you are suffering from hearing loss, we want to again raise awareness about the connection and urge you to see a doctor so you can be screened for other health issues that may be associated with your hearing problems.
How are the two linked?
The inner ear is a delicate structure and contains small blood vessels. When the heart isn’t working well, those blood vessels (and other parts of the body) may experience decreased blood supply. When the blood supply to your inner ear is limited, you can develop hearing loss.
There are various heart problems that can cause decreased blood supply to the inner ear, including heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
For some people with heart problems, hearing loss may be the first sign.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology also suggests that environmental noise (which can cause hearing loss) also may cause issues in the cardiovascular system, which could lead to the simultaneous development of hearing loss and cardiovascular issues.
Either way, hearing loss shouldn’t be taken lightly as it’s possible it could point to another serious health issue that has yet to be diagnosed.
What can I do?
If you are suffering from hearing loss, make an appointment with your doctor for an exam that includes not only a hearing test but an evaluation of your overall health.
Additionally, if you are suffering any of the following symptoms (which may indicate a problem with your heart) see your doctor as soon as possible:
- Discomfort in the chest area
- Pain that spreads into your arm
- Pain in the jaw or throat (usually radiating from the chest area)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Swollen limbs
- Sweating for no apparent reason
- An irregular heartbeat
How can I keep my heart healthy?
If your heart is currently healthy, regular physical activity and a good diet can help to keep it that way.
In addition to a heart-healthy diet and exercise, consider:
- Quitting smoking, if you are a smoker
- Keeping an eye on your blood pressure (watch for low or high blood pressure)
- Reducing stress in your life
- Managing your weight with a doctor’s help
Also, talk to your physician about your family history and ask for their guidance in lowering your risk of heart disease, and read more tips about how to stay heart-healthy from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
At Advanced Affordable Hearing, we want our customers to be healthy, happy, and live life to the fullest, which is why we provide informative articles like this one.
Visit our Articles page to explore other health and hearing aid-related articles!