How Your Hearing Can be Affected by a Few Additional Pounds

Obese woman watching her weight after learning it was causing hearing loss.

We’ve long known that eating too much is harmful to our health, especially over longer periods of time. There are several health conditions related to obesity. You can add hearing loss to diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease as a possible issue. It’s estimated that around 48 million people in the U . S ., hearing loss is an issue for about 20% of the U.S population, and nearly twice that amount of adults, 93 million, are obese. These figures are surprising and point to a serious health issue throughout the country.

What is The Relationship Between Hearing Loss And Being Overweight?

Various studies have demonstrated that hearing loss and being overweight have a relationship. While scientists are still investigating the link, it’s assumed that hearing loss and being overweight have a relationship because the circulatory system is affected. In addition, obesity is connected to diabetes and high blood pressure, which are also connected to loss of hearing.

Sound in the ear is detected by small hairs in the inner ear. So that they can function correctly, these tiny hairs, called stereocilia, need a steady blood flow. Because of obesity, the blood flow is restricted in the body because, in order to keep the blood flowing throughout the body, the heart needs to do additional work, which means that there is not enough blood flow available to your ear. This can irreversibly harm the ears. Considering that all of these diseases impact the blood flow, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes affect the inner ear in a similar way.

It’s extremely necessary to keep your weight under control as you get older since age-related hearing loss and high-fat mass index are also related. Your body’s metabolism can’t work as well or as fast as it once did, which is the reason why you should try to follow healthy habits that you formed when you were younger.

Your hearing and your overall health are helped by good nutrition.

Obesity Associated Hearing Loss Treatment Options

It’s a possibility that you may not be capable of recovering your lost hearing if it’s triggered by obesity, still, so that you can find out how considerable your loss of hearing is, it’s necessary to get your ears tested. If the injury is irreversible, you may require a hearing aid or other device to start hearing properly again.

If the damage is only minor, you might have considered trying to see your doctor before your health worsens, about creating a diet and exercise plan to minimize the effect your weight has on your well being. Your doctor should set up a cardio intensive exercise regimen that will enhance your overall health and get your blood pumping. There will be, most likely, other improvements in your life also, such as mental health, since consistent exercise has been proven to reduce depression.

Obesity-Related Hearing Loss, How to Prevent it

In order to stop obesity-related loss of hearing day to day exercise and a healthy diet are essential. staying healthy can also help keep your ears in superior condition. One way to get started is to consult with a nutritionist who can help develop a strategy that is customized for you and is centered on helping you attain your goals. The nutritionist can make certain you’re eating healthy foods with the right combination of nutrients, including foods that are high in iron, because of course, a lack of iron in your diet can aggravate your hearing loss and trigger tinnitus.

Discover more about hearing loss and how you can hear better with the correct treatment.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.