This is a sponsored blog post from HLAA Hear for Life Partner, Starkey.

Does it surprise you that neglecting your cardiovascular health could spell trouble for your hearing? Starkey Chief Health Officer Archelle Georgiou, M.D., offers insights on this important connection and how to stay healthy.

Normal blood flow is critical for good hearing health. Delicate hair cells in the inner ear (the cochlea) turn sound into electrical impulses that travel to the brain so we can hear speech, music or noise. Those hair cells rely on good circulation to function properly. Heart disease or hypertension can decrease blood flow to the inner ear, depriving hair cells of oxygen, which can permanently damage hearing.

People can take care of their cardiovascular systems by staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. Everyone should also know their blood pressure, cholesterol level, and hemoglobin AIC, which is elevated in people with diabetes. If you do have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, make sure to talk to a doctor about taking the right medication at the proper dosage to get your numbers into a normal range. By taking care of the cardiovascular system, you will also be proactively protecting your hearing.

Consider these studies and stats which show the link between cardiovascular risk factors and hearing loss:

• A new study from JAMA further confirms that smoking increases the risk of hearing loss.

• Hearing loss is twice as common in people who have diabetes. Even people with prediabetes (blood sugar levels higher than normal but not high enough yet to have type 2 diabetes) have a 30% higher rate of hearing loss than people with normal blood sugar levels.

• Obesity increases the risk of hearing loss.

• Individuals with hearing loss have lower physical activity than those without.

If you think you, or a loved one, has a hearing loss, don’t wait! Get your hearing checked today. For more information on hearing health, visit hearing.org.

Stay tuned for more information and resources soon. For questions, contact HLAA at inquiries@hearingloss.org.

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