Study finds possible link between hearing loss and heart disease
As the relationship between hearing loss and overall health continues to be explored through research and medical advancement, it is important for both practitioners and patients to maintain a “big picture” view rather than get caught up in details.
Caregivers in particular must remember that a healthy lifestyle is what needs to be achieved — not a single problem labeled as “hearing loss.”
This point was strongly illustrated by a recent Harvard University study about a strong link between heart disease and hearing loss. This information offers a reminder that bodies are an interconnected series of processes, and when one of these processes does not operate at full capacity, they can be affected in ways never quite imagined.
The Harvard study found that individuals with cardiovascular disease are 54 percent more likely to suffer from hearing loss. Of the individuals in the study who have had at least one heart attack, 80 percent were found to have damage to their inner ear.
Because heart disease can reduce the flow of blood through the body, and because the cells of the inner ear are among the most fragile in the body, it’s possible that the cochlea — the part of the inner ear responsible for transmitting hearing signals to the brain — could be among the first organs affected by heart disease.
With this in mind, a lifestyle that reduces the risk of heart disease can be beneficial to hearing. Getting blood pressure checks on a regular basis, decreasing salt intake, exercising regularly, and getting proper rest are all manageable aspects of heart disease.
If a person knows someone affected by cardiovascular disease, or someone at risk of cardiovascular disease, Bella Vista Hearing would like to extend an invitation for a complimentary hearing consultation.
The best method of treatment for all disease is prevention, and heart disease and hearing loss are no exception.
The hearing care professionals at Bella Vista Hearing, in conjunction with a general practitioner, can help recommend a course of action that fits a lifestyle best, and can together help formulate a healthier lifestyle for the local community.
Appointments can be made by calling (479) 202-9618. More information is available at bvhc.net.