Is Hearing Loss a Marker of Poor Health?

It’s inconvenient when you can’t hear, but research is looking beyond the effects that hearing loss has on quality of life into what impaired hearing means in terms of overall health. Hearing loss is increasingly being linked with other health problems, meaning if your hearing isn’t what is used to be, it’s time for a hearing test AND a check-up!

Hearing Loss and Heart Health

Research now shows that hearing loss and heart disease are linked. Your ears and auditory system depend on a steady supply of blood and oxygen, and when the vessels are narrowed or damaged due to heart disease, it can impact your hearing. One study published in The Laryngoscope showed that deficits on hearing tests correlate with damage to peripheral blood vessels and vessels that carry blood to the heart, suggesting that hearing loss may be a useful screening test for heart disease. 

What does this mean for you? If you suspect your hearing is diminishing, get a hearing test and heart health check as well. Don’t forget that hypertension can accelerate hearing loss, so if your doctor tells you that you have high blood pressure, treat it and keep it well controlled.  

Brain Health and Hearing

Hearing loss is also linked with depression and cognitive problems – but there’s good news: treating hearing loss may help to prevent further decline in cognitive function. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2013 showed that older adults were more likely to experience problems with memory and processing information if they had hearing loss. Some research suggests a link between hearing loss and dementia, a more severe form of cognitive impairment.

As far as depression, it’s not surprising that people with poor hearing feel down. When you can’t understand what people are saying, it leads to feelings of isolation. For many people, a hearing aid opens up a whole new world and quality of life for them, one where they feel more connected with the outside world.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, your sense of hearing is tied into your overall health. Hearing impairment could be the first sign of other health issues and an indication that you need to see your doctor – and take better care of your health!