Hearing Loss

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States, representing one in four deaths every year. And the link between heart disease and hearing has been well-established for years. Heart problems can cause plaque buildup in the arteries and restrict blood flow, which may cause irreversible damage to the ear. For example, poor circulation can reduce oxygen, causing damage to the delicate nerves inside the cochlea. These nerves play an essential role in translating noise from your ears to electrical impulses in your brain. 

An active lifestyle, including regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and good blood pressure ranges, can play a big part in a healthy cardiovascular system.

For years, scientists have suspected a connection between issues with blood sugar regulation and hearing loss. Recent research has solidified this suspicion, confirming a clear link between these two increasingly prevalent conditions. Diabetes can lead to damage to the small blood vessels throughout the body, including the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. Furthermore, damage to the auditory nerve can result in sensorineural hearing loss

Diabetes shares common risk factors with hearing loss, such as obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. These conditions can independently contribute to both diabetes and hearing impairment, creating a complex interplay of factors that increase the risk of hearing loss in individuals with diabetes.

With sleep apnea, breathing slows too much and even stops for short periods during sleep. Breathing difficulties at night inhibit a restful sleep or alertness the next day. But sleep apnea is responsible for more than just sleep difficulties.

Some theories suggest that the inflammation and circulatory issues brought on by sleep apnea may lead to damage in the inner ear. At this point, the research doesn’t prove that sleep apnea causes hearing loss, only that it is associated with it. But there’s enough evidence to suggest that if you have sleep apnea, you should get your hearing checked.

This ringing in the ear is the effect of inner ear damage or impairment. While most people experience moments or brief periods of hearing ringing in the ears during their lives (usually after extended exposure to a noisy environment or following a sudden, extremely loud sound), some people experience tinnitus more regularly.

Tinnitus is usually a symptom of another condition, which means first, you want to identify the underlying cause. Some causes, such as excess earwax buildup, hypertension, stress, anemia, or overconsumption of caffeine or cigarettes, can be treated or eliminated relatively easily.

While there’s no cure, hearing aids can give you lasting treatment and relief. Tinnitus treatment options include Sound therapy, which uses soothing audio to mask the tinnitus sound, and Notch therapy, a variation of sound therapy using a narrower band of sound.

Research suggests a strong association between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The exact mechanism behind this link isn’t fully understood, but it's believed that the strain of constantly trying to hear and understand conversations may lead to cognitive overload, contributing to decline over time. Hearing loss can affect your brain in many ways:

• Your brain must work harder to process the sounds you hear, leading to an increased cognitive load.
• Many people stop participating in group activities, which leads to social isolation and less brain stimulation. 
• Your ears send fewer signals to your brain, which can lead to cognitive decline.

The good news is that proactive treatments can help ward off cognitive decline and dementia. Hearing aids are the most effective way to treat age-related or noise-induced hearing loss. It’s important to note that just because someone is at an increased risk for dementia does not mean that person is certain to develop it.

This chronic inner ear disorder causes recurring episodes of severe dizziness (vertigo), ear pressure, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It typically affects only one ear, although some people experience symptoms in both. 

Meniere’s disease is a complex, debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person’s way of life. Symptoms come on without warning, limiting participation in social, leisure, and work activities. And because scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of the disease, it’s difficult to predict or prevent.

In recent years, we’ve gained a much better understanding of Meniere’s disease in recent years. While there’s no cure yet, various treatments can help alleviate and manage symptoms.