(And minimize your risk for greater health issues linked to hearing loss!)
What do physical health and conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or balance issues have to do with hearing loss? Believe it or not, your ears can reveal many things about your physical health.
Our overall physical health and physical activity can have a direct relationship with hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), three studies linked hearing loss with less physical activity and a more sedentary lifestyle in older adults. The NIA reported that people with mild to severe hearing loss exercised less than those with normal levels of hearing.
An additional Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) conducted by Johns Hopkins University and the NIA found that those with moderate to severe hearing loss had a faster decline in physical function over a six-year timeframe than those with normal hearing.
The BLSA study found that those who wore hearing aids had better walking endurance than those who did not use hearing aids to treat hearing loss. The results from these studies suggest the importance and impact that hearing has on our overall physical health. Getting regular screenings and treating hearing loss may prevent further physical decline.
Hearing loss and a sedentary lifestyle can impact you physically, including balance, walking speed, and movement.
Balance
How does hearing loss affect balance? The inner ear contains the semicircular canals, which are responsible for balance and may change with age. We use hearing to locate ourselves within our environment and a functioning vestibular system acts as a level to keep us upright.
Walking speed
Hearing loss decreases our ability to hear information in our environment. When we don’t hear well, we may shorten our stride and walking cadence to reduce the impact of cognitive loading- how much mental energy is being used to perform a task - on our balance.
Physical activity
Physical deconditioning can occur with a sedentary lifestyle that involves sitting for long periods. Physical inactivity can result in the thinning of muscle tissue or muscle atrophy which can contribute to poor coordination and imbalance.
Muscle atrophy occurs when your body no longer allocates the energy and resources needed to take care of your muscles, causing them to weaken and decrease in size. A sedentary lifestyle due to hearing loss may put you at a greater risk for falls and injuries if it weakens muscles in the arms and legs.
Can muscle atrophy be reversed? Good news. This condition can sometimes be reversed by engaging in regular physical activity and eating a nutrient-rich diet.
How is hearing loss linked to other health issues? There are a few conditions that have been found to have a direct relationship with hearing loss.
Diabetes
Heart health
High blood pressure
Dementia
Diabetes
Heart health
High blood pressure
Dementia
There are many benefits to addressing hearing loss and being proactive about your health, such as:
(And minimize your risk for greater health issues linked to hearing loss!)
Move your body for at least 30 minutes each day. This not only helps you stay energized, but it also reduces your risk for heart disease and stroke, minimizes stress, and helps you maintain a healthy weight—all of which lower your risk of hearing loss. A little bit of effort goes a long way!
Foods high in folates (leafy green veggies), anti-oxidants (nuts, blueberries, spinach), potassium (bananas, fish, and tomatoes), zinc (whole grains, carrots), vitamin B12 (meat and eggs), and omega-3 fats (avocados, fish, and sweet potatoes) can all help your hearing and your overall health.
Attending your regular health exams and having your hearing tested on a regular basis helps to make sure any hearing loss or underlying conditions connected to hearing loss are caught early. Like so many other conditions, the sooner you get your hearing loss treated, the better the outcome.
Continuing to monitor health indicators such as your A1C, blood glucose levels, BMI, and cholesterol with your health care team will help you proactively catch anything that requires medical attention or close monitoring.
Amplifon Hearing Health Care’s dedicated team can address your hearing care questions and concerns and work towards finding a solution. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your hearing needs.
Request an appointment at a hearing care provider near you.
