This is a great
question and with Valentine’s Day coming, a great time to talk about matters of
the heart. It was a group of Harvard
University researchers who discovered a relation between heart disease and
hearing loss. They found that hearing
loss occurred 54% more often in people with heart disease then in the general
population. At this time we are not sure what causes this link, but they have
a theory.
Cardiovascular disease
reduces blood flow through veins and arteries, and it is the blood that brings
oxygen to the body’s organs. This lack of oxygen can damage the heart and other
organs including the hearing nerves (hair cells) deep in the inner
ear. Hair cell damage is the most common cause of permanent hearing
loss.
The researchers also
believe the hearing nerves are so fragile that the ear is likely the first
organ to be damaged by cardiovascular disease. There are those who feel that
one day hearing loss may be used to predict heart disease.
The good news is, a
healthy cardiovascular system has a positive effect on hearing. Eating
right and exercising helps your hearing too! Exercising once a week
reduces the risk of heart disease by 32%.
Have
regular hearing checks and use hearing aids when recommended. Taking care
of your hearing is part of taking care of your health. Those who use hearing aids report greater
overall health, a physically more active lifestyle and a more active social
life. And it’s a physically active life
that can help reduce heart disease.
Life sounds great! Enjoy every moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD & Ashley Spisak, AuD
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
Fax: 440-205-9818
