It’s well understood, that over time, eating way too much will be detrimental to your health. Obesity is connected to quite a few health issues. You can add hearing loss to high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes as a potential problem. It’s estimated that approximately 48 million people in the U . S ., loss of hearing is a problem for about 20% of the U.S population, and in adults it’s nearly twice that number, 93 million, are obese. These figures are staggering and point to a significant health issue throughout the country.
How Is Being Overweight Connected to Hearing Loss?
Numerous studies have demonstrated that there’s a link between being overweight and hearing loss. Even though scientists are still researching the link, it’s believed that being overweight is connected to loss of hearing because of its effect on our circulatory system. In addition, obesity is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, which are also linked to loss of hearing.
Sound in the ear is detected by tiny hairs inside the inner ear. These tiny hairs, called stereocilia, have to have a steady flow of blood and oxygen to function correctly. Obesity confines the flow of blood in the body because, in order to get the blood flowing throughout the body, the heart must do more work, which means that your inner ear is operating on too little blood flow. This can irreversibly damage the ears. Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes affect the inner ear in the same way, because all of these conditions adversely effects your blood flow.
It’s especially necessary to keep control of your weight as you age since age-related hearing loss and a high index of fat mass are also related. Your body’s metabolism doesn’t work as well or as fast as it once did, which is why you should try to formulate healthy habits when you’re younger and stick to those habits as you age.
Your ears and your overall health are helped by good nutrition.
Obesity Associated Loss of Hearing Treatment Options
If your loss of hearing is caused by obesity, you might never be capable of getting it back, still, it’s always good to have your hearing screened to find out the degree of your loss of hearing. If the damage is permanent, you might need a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing correctly again.
If the injury is not that serious, you may want to see your physician about making an exercise and diet program to minimize the impact your weight has on your well being before it gets any worse. Your doctor should recommend a cardio intensive exercise program that will get your blood pumping and improve your overall health. You will likely find that other areas of your life also get better, mental health, for example, since day to day exercise will decrease depression according to many studies.
How Can You Avoid Obesity-Related Hearing Loss
So that you can stop obesity-related loss of hearing regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential. Keeping your body healthy will also help keep your hearing in superior shape. One way to get started is a consultation with a nutritionist who can help develop a plan that is personalized for you and is targeted on assisting you to reach your goals. The nutritionist can make sure you’re consuming nutritious foods with the right blend of nutrients, like foods that have plenty of iron, because of course, a lack of iron in your diet can lead to tinnitus and cause loss of hearing.
Find out more regarding hearing loss and how you can hear better with the appropriate treatment method.