Last month we discussed the correlation between diabetes and hearing loss. As promised last month, let’s continue with the theme of the comorbidities associated with hearing loss.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Usually, hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90 and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Over time, if untreated, it can cause health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.
Hearing Loss Statistics in the United States
According to data from the ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association), there are currently 28 million individuals in the USA with some type of hearing loss, and 80 % of those are irreversible cases. These data also show that 4.6 % of the individuals between 18 and 44 years have hearing loss, while 14 % of middle-aged individuals-between 45 and 64 years, and 54 % of the population above 65 years have some hearing loss. This is due to several factors, such as intense and/or continuous noise exposure, inhalation of toxic substances, ingestion of ototoxic drugs, metabolic and circulatory alterations, infections, different types of injuries, and genetic inheritance.
How Common is Hypertension?
According to the National Institute of Health, hypertension affects almost one-half the U.S. adult population and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. During 2017-March 2020, 48.1% of adults had hypertension.
How Hypertension Affects the Inner Ear
All living cells in the human body depend on a proper supply of oxygen and nutrients to maintain their function, and such supply depends on the functional and structural integrity of the heart and blood vessels. Hypertension, the most common vascular disorder, may facilitate structural changes in the heart and blood vessels. High pressure in the vascular system may cause inner ear hemorrhage, which is supplied by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, which supports the inner ear artery and is divided into the cochlear artery and anterior vestibular artery, which may cause progressive or sudden hearing loss.
Other Causes of Hearing Loss
Aging, heredity, noise exposure, and drug-induced ototoxic side effects are well-known as the main causes of hearing loss, but little is known about other key risk factors for hearing impairment.
The Link Between Hypertension and Hearing Loss
The mechanisms underlying the association between hypertension and hearing loss development are not yet fully understood. Vascular injury might be involved, as it can reduce capillary blood flow, resulting in reduced oxygen transport and tissue hypoxia, thus causing hearing loss. In addition, a blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) exists in the inner ear, like the blood-brain barrier in the brain, separating the vasculature and the inner ear fluids (endolymph and perilymph). Blood supply to the cochlea is critically important for sustaining the production of endolymph, and the BLB is instrumental in maintaining inner ear fluid ionic homeostasis (keeping everything balanced). If the BLB of the stria vascularis in the cochlea becomes dysfunctional (e.g., through a disruption of tight junctions) via hypertension-induced vascular injury, this could disrupt ionic homeostasis in the endolymph, resulting in hair cell depolarization loss and hearing loss.
Managing Hypertension to Protect Your Hearing
Given that the data indicate that hypertension accelerates hearing disability, interventions to control hypertension could become an important strategy to protect against or treat hearing impairment. Therefore, eating a healthier diet with less salt, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and taking medication can help lower blood pressure and help protect your delicate ears. Also don’t forget your hearing protection. Be sure to talk to your primary care physician on ways that you can take control of your blood pressure.
Audiologists in North Carolina
For more information or to discuss your overall health associated with hearing challenges, give Diane or Jamie a call at 7084-633-0023. Remember to like us on Facebook and visit our website: hearingsolutionsofnc.com. Dr. Mussler, Jane, Cheryl and I look forward to seeing you soon.