Louisville Family Audiology - Louisville, KY

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

It’s well known, that over time, overeating will be detrimental to your health. Obesity is associated with several health concerns. Heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and you can put hearing on the list, as well. It’s estimated that roughly 48 million people in the United States, about 20% of the nation’s population, suffer from loss of hearing, and in adults it’s nearly twice that number, 93 million, are obese. Throughout the country, these shocking statistics indicate a significant health problem.

What is The Relationship Between Hearing Loss And Being Overweight?

Various studies have shown that there’s a connection between being overweight and loss of hearing. Precisely what that connection is, is still being studied, it’s assumed that being overweight is related to hearing loss because of its impact on our circulatory system. Furthermore, hearing loss is linked to high blood pressure and diabetes which are recognized to be connected to being overweight.

Sound in the ear is detected by tiny hairs inside the inner ear. These hairs, called stereocilia, have to have a steady blood flow and oxygen to work properly. Because of obesity, the flow of blood is restricted throughout the body since the heart must work harder to get the blood to flow around the body, which means that your inner ear is functioning on too little blood flow. Your hearing can be permanently damaged by this. Because each of these conditions impact the flow of blood, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure affect the inner ear in a similar way.

Keeping your weight under control is particularly relevant as you get older since age-related hearing loss is also connected to a high fat mass index. Your body’s metabolism won’t work as fast or as well as it once did, which is why you should attempt to stick to healthy habits that you started when you were younger.

Good nutrition and exercise are great for your overall health and your hearing.

Obesity Associated Loss of Hearing Treatments

If your loss of hearing is triggered by obesity, you might never be capable of getting it back, still, it’s always smart to have your hearing examined to identify the magnitude of your loss of hearing. If the injury is permanent, you might require a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing correctly again.

If the damage is not that serious, you may want to see your physician before your health worsens, about creating a diet and exercise plan to minimize the impact your weight has on your health. Your doctor should prescribe a cardio intensive exercise routine that will get your blood pumping and strengthen your overall health. There will be, most likely, other improvements in your life too, mental health, as an example, since regular exercise has been shown to reduce depression.

How Can You Stop Obesity-Related Hearing Loss

A nutritious diet and a regular exercise regime are important to preventing obesity-related conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Keeping your body healthy will also assist in keeping your hearing in good shape. One way to get started is to consult with a nutritionist who can assist you to develop a program that is personalized for you and is centered on helping you attain your goals. The role of the nutritionist is to make sure you’re eating nutritious foods with the ideal combination of nutrients, including foods that have plenty of iron, because of course, a lack of iron in your diet can trigger tinnitus and cause hearing loss.

Find out more regarding hearing loss and how you can hear better with the appropriate 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.
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