It’s well recognized, that over longer periods of time, eating way too much will be detrimental to your health. There are quite a few health conditions that are connected to obesity. Heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and you can add hearing loss to the list, as well. It’s estimated that about 48 million people in the United States, hearing loss is a problem for approximately 20% of the U.S population, and in adults it’s almost twice that number, 93 million, are obese. Throughout the country, these shocking numbers point out a serious health concern.
What is The Link Between Hearing Loss And Obesity?
Various studies have revealed that hearing loss and being overweight have a connection. Specifically what that connection is, is still being investigated, it’s believed that hearing loss and being overweight have a connection because of its effect on our circulatory system. Additionally, hearing loss is related to high blood pressure and diabetes which are known to be associated with being overweight.
The inner ears are filled with little hairs that detect sound in the ear. These hairs, called stereocilia, require a steady blood flow and oxygen to function properly. Obesity confines the flow of blood throughout the body since the heart will have to work extra hard to get the blood flowing throughout the body, which means that there is less than ideal amount of blood flow supplied to your ear. This could irreversibly damage the ears. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease affect the inner ear in a similar way, as each of these illnesses negatively effects your blood flow.
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 can’t work as well or as fast as it did in the past, which is why you should try to formulate good habits when you’re younger and stick to those habits as you get older.
A healthy diet and exercise are great for your general health and your hearing.
Obesity Associated Hearing Loss Treatment Options
It’s feasible that you might not be capable of recovering your lost hearing if it’s brought on by obesity, still, in order to find out how extensive your hearing loss is, it’s necessary to have your hearing evaluated. If the injury is permanent, you may need a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing correctly again.
If the injury is only minor, you might have considered trying to consult your physician about making a diet and exercise strategy to minimize the effect your weight has on your well being before it gets any worse. Your doctor should recommend a cardio intensive exercise regimen that will get your blood pumping and improve your general health. You will probably find that other aspects of your life also improve, like mental health, since regular exercise will lessen depression according to a lot of research.
How Can You Stop Obesity-Related Hearing Loss
A healthy diet and a consistent exercise regime are essential to avoiding obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Your hearing will definitely be kept in better shape if you keep your body healthy. A strategy that can assist you to achieve your goals and that is individualized for you can be developed by a nutritionist. The job of the nutritionist is to make sure you’re eating the best combination of nutrients in nutritious foods, including foods that are high in iron, since, you guessed it, a lack of iron in your diet can exacerbate your loss of hearing and result in tinnitus.
Learn more about hearing loss and the solutions available to let you hear better.