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 usually starts to manifest in your 40s, 50s, or 60s. You probably won’t even detect your progressing hearing loss even though it’s an irreversible condition. Years of noise damage is typically the cause. So how does hypertension lead to hearing loss? The answer is that high blood pressure can cause extensive 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 flows through your circulatory system. High blood pressure means that this blood moves more quickly than normal. Damage to your blood vessels can happen over time because of this. These blood vessels that have been damaged lose their flexibility and often become blocked. A blockage can lead to a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Healthcare professionals tend to pay very close attention to a patient’s blood pressure because of this.
What is considered 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
A hypertensive crisis happens when your blood pressure goes over 180/120. This type of event should be treated immediately.
How is hearing loss caused by hypertension?
The blood vessels inside of your ear and your entire body can be damaged by hypertension. As these blood vessels get damaged, it’s likely that the nerves in your ear also endure lasting damage. Also, high blood pressure can negatively affect the stereocilia in your ear (the tiny hairs responsible for sensing vibrations). When these stereocilia get damaged, they don’t regenerate, so any damage is effectively irreversible.
So regardless of the particular cause, irreversible hearing loss can be the consequence of any damage. According to some research, the percentage of individuals who have hearing loss is higher when they have high blood pressure readings. Those who reported higher blood pressure were also more likely to have more extreme hearing loss. The effects of hearing loss, in other words, can be reduced by keeping blood pressure under control.
What does high blood pressure feel like in your ears?
Normally, 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 in which your ears feel warm and grow red. Usually, it’s a sign of changes in blood flow related to emotions, hormones, and other non-blood pressure-associated problems.
In some circumstances, high blood pressure can worsen tinnitus symptoms. But if your tinnitus was a result of high blood pressure, how would you know? It’s impossible to definitively tell without talking to a doctor or hearing specialist. Tinnitus generally isn’t a symptom of high blood pressure. There’s a reason that high blood pressure is often called “the silent killer”.
Typically, it isn’t until you get 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 is high blood pressure treated?
High blood pressure is normally caused by a confluence of numerous different factors. That’s why lowering blood pressure may call for a variety of approaches. Your primary care doctor should be where you address your high blood pressure. Here’s what that management could entail:
- Avoid sodium: Pay attention to the amount of salt in your food, especially processed foods. Avoid processed food when you can and find lower sodium alternatives if possible.
- Get more exercise: Exercising regularly (or simply moving around on a regular basis) can help reduce your overall blood pressure.
- Take medication as prescribed: In some cases, no amount of diet and exercise can counter or effectively manage high blood pressure. Although 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.
- Diet changes: Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you lower blood pressure. Eat more fruits and vegetables and abstain from things like red meat.
A treatment plan to manage your blood pressure can be formulated by your primary care doctor. Can hearing loss as a result of high blood pressure be reversed? In some cases the answer is yes and in others not so much. There is some evidence to suggest that decreasing your blood pressure can help revive your hearing, at least partially. But it’s also likely that at least some of the harm incurred will be permanent.
The faster your high blood pressure is reversed, 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 number of ways:
- Talk to us: Any existing hearing loss can be preserved and early detection will be possible by getting routine hearing screenings.
- Avoiding loud venues and events: Try to avoid overly loud noises when you can, as these noises can cause damage to your ears. If you really 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.
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 manage your hearing loss and protect your hearing health.