Did you know that heart health and Hearing health are connected?
It’s true! Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin has revealed a link between hearing and cardiovascular health. Actually, the two often intermingle. It appears that a healthy cardiovascular system has a positive effect on hearing. Because the inner ear is so sensitive to Blood Flow, it’s possible that abnormalities in the cardiovascular system can be discovered here before it is apparent in other areas of the body.
This blood flow sensitivity actually means that inadequate blood flow can cause damage to your hearing. Hearing loss could even be the result of damaged blood vessels in the inner ear. Unfortunately, unlike other structures in our bodies, the inner ear lacks a backup of blood flow supply, making it vulnerable to damage.
Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin found correlations between certain audiometric patterns and arterial disease. These certain patterns could suggest the presence or potential development of cardiovascular disease. It’s an important discovery because it’s led many hearing professionals to recognize that the ear may be the window into the heart.
Research from Miami University has discovered that the higher the level of cardiovascular fitness, the better the hearing is in older individuals (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41088144_Association_Between_Cardiovascular_Health_and_Hearing_Function_Pure-Tone_and_Distortion_Product_Otoacoustic_Emission_Measures). It makes sense that an active lifestyle improves cardiovascular health, which in turn increases blood flow to the ear.
Additional heart disease risk factors that can increase the risk for hearing loss include a sedentary lifestyle, increased body mass index and a large waist circumference. Individuals should include a hearing evaluation in their annual medical screenings if they are over the age of 40, especially if they have risk factors for developing heart disease or have already been diagnosed.
To schedule a hearing test please call Evolution Hearing at our Charlottesville, VA location, 434-260-8007 or at our Raleigh, NC location, 919-670-3258 today.
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