Loud noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, aging and genetics are well-known contributors to the development of hearing loss. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a lesser-known cause that could lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.
How Does High Blood Pressure Impact Hearing?
High blood pressure is fairly common, with one out of every four individuals affected. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against the arterial walls is too high, causing the heart to have to work harder to pump blood through the body. Mild cases of high blood pressure don’t usually present with symptoms, but individuals with severe cases may display with:
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
Because high blood pressure does not present with symptoms until it becomes severe, it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
With high blood pressure, the force with which the heart pumps blood through the body can cause damage to the inner ear leading to temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Another possible cause of hearing loss from high blood pressure is the aging effect hypertension can have on the ears. A study comparing hypertensive patients to those without found that “Hearing loss in the population under study suggests that hypertension is an accelerating factor of degeneration of the hearing apparatus.”
Because damage to the inner ear can be irreversible, it is important to take steps to protect against high blood pressure.
Protecting Against High Blood Pressure
The Mayo Clinic offers the following tips to help lower your blood pressure:
- Eat healthy. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in processed foods. Try going to Game’s Farmers Market to pick up your daily serving of healthy produce.
- Exercise. Maintain a regular exercise routine to keep your body healthy and your blood pressure low.
- Reduce stress. Try adding in nightly journaling or meditation to lower your stress levels and blood pressure.
- Get a full night’s sleep. Exhaustion from lack of sleep can result in high blood pressure. Do your best to get seven to eight hours a night.
- Quit smoking. Smoking can contribute to an increased risk of high blood pressure, lung cancer, emphysema and more. Try to quit smoking entirely to improve your overall health.
Contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to make an appointment with one of our audiologists to discuss protecting your hearing health.