Are you aware that your risk of developing age-related hearing loss can be increased if you have high blood pressure?
Age-related hearing loss normally starts to manifest in your 40s, 50s, or 60s. Your symptoms may develop gradually and be mostly invisible, but this type of hearing loss is irreversible. Usually, it’s the consequence of many years of noise-related damage. So how is hearing loss a result of hypertension? 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?)
Blood pressure is a measure of how quickly blood moves through your circulatory system. High blood pressure means that this blood moves more rapidly than normal. Damage to your blood vessels can happen over time as a result. These blood vessels that have been harmed lose their flexibility and often become blocked. A blockage can contribute to a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. That’s one reason why healthcare professionals often pay close attention to your blood pressure.
What is considered high blood pressure?
Here are the basic 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 crisis occurs when your blood pressure is over 180/120. Immediate treatment is needed when this happens.
How can hypertension cause hearing loss?
Hypertension can cause widespread damage to your blood vessels, including the blood vessels inside of your ear. As these blood vessels become damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also suffer lasting damage. The little hairs in your ears responsible for picking up 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 permanent.
So regardless of the particular cause, permanent 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?
Normally, the symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly noticeable. High blood pressure isn’t the cause of “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.
High blood pressure can sometimes worsen tinnitus symptoms. But if your tinnitus was being caused by high blood pressure, how would you know? It’s impossible to definitively tell without speaking to a doctor or hearing specialist. Tinnitus is generally not a symptom of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is frequently referred to as “the silent killer”.
The majority of individuals find out they have high blood pressure when they go in for a yearly exam and get their vitals taken. It’s a good reason to be certain you don’t miss those regular appointments.
How is high blood pressure managed?
High blood pressure is usually due to a confluence of various different factors. As a result, you might have to take several different measures and use a variety of approaches to successfully lower your blood pressure. Your primary care doctor should be where you address your high blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Get more exercise: Your blood pressure can be kept under control by getting regular exercise.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some instances, high blood pressure can’t be managed with diet and exercise alone. Although diet and exercise can be helpful, there are some cases where it will be necessary to use blood pressure medication as prescribed to manage hypertension.
- Avoid sodium: Keep your eye on the amount of salt in your food, especially processed foods. Find lower salt alternatives when possible (or avoid processed foods when possible).
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you lower blood pressure. Eat more fruits and veggies and abstain from things like red meat.
You and your doctor will develop a treatment plan to address your blood pressure. Can hearing loss from high blood pressure be reversed? 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 most likely be permanent.
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 lowering your blood pressure. This could include:
- Talk to us: Getting your hearing screened regularly can help you maintain your hearing and detect any hearing loss early.
- Wear hearing protection: You can protect your hearing by using earplugs, earmuffs, or noise canceling headphones.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to steer clear of overly loud noises where you can, as these noises can result in damage to your ears. If these settings are not entirely avoidable, limit your time in loud environments.
We can help you maintain your hearing into the future, so make an appointment as soon as possible.