Hearing Loss is Connected to These Conditions

Man talking with healthcare provider about his diabetes and hearing loss.

Your body and an ecosystem have some similarities. In the natural world, if there’s a problem with the pond, all of the fish and birds are impacted as well; and when the birds go away so too do all of the plants and animals that depend on those birds. We may not realize it but our body functions on very comparable principals. That’s why something which appears isolated, such as hearing loss, can be linked to a large number of other ailments and diseases.

This is, in a sense, evidence of the interdependence of your body and it’s resemblance to an ecosystem. Your brain may also be impacted if something affects your hearing. We call these circumstances comorbid, a fancy (and specialized) name that demonstrates a link between two disorders without necessarily articulating a cause-and-effect relationship.

We can learn a lot concerning our bodies’ ecosystem by understanding conditions that are comorbid with hearing loss.

Hearing Loss And The Disorders That Are Linked to it

So, let’s suppose that you’ve been recognizing the symptoms of hearing loss for the last several months. You’ve been having a hard time making out conversation when you go out to eat. You’ve been turning the volume up on your tv. And some sounds seem so distant. When this is the situation, most people will schedule an appointment with a hearing professional (this is the practical thing to do, actually).

Whether you recognize it or not, your hearing loss is linked to a number of other health issues. Comorbidity with hearing loss has been reported with the following health conditions.

  • Diabetes: similarly, diabetes can wreak havoc with your nervous system all over your body (specifically in your extremities). one of the areas especially likely to be harmed are the nerves in the ear. This damage can cause hearing loss all on its own. But diabetes-related nerve damage can also make you more susceptible to hearing loss caused by other factors, often compounding your symptoms.
  • Depression: a whole host of concerns can be the consequence of social isolation due to hearing loss, some of which relate to your mental health. So it’s not surprising that study after study confirms depression and anxiety have extremely high comorbidity rates with hearing loss.
  • Vertigo and falls: your inner ear is your main tool for balance. Vertigo and dizziness can be caused by some types of hearing loss because they have a damaging influence on the inner ear. Any loss of balance can, naturally, cause falls, and as you get older, falls will become increasingly dangerous.
  • Cardiovascular disease: hearing loss and cardiovascular conditions are not always connected. But sometimes hearing loss can be intensified by cardiovascular disease. The explanation for this is that trauma to the blood vessels of the inner ear is one of the first signs of cardiovascular disease. Your hearing could suffer as a result of the of that trauma.
  • Dementia: a higher chance of dementia has been linked to hearing loss, although it’s uncertain what the base cause is. Many of these cases of dementia and also cognitive decline can be slowed, according to research, by wearing hearing aids.

What Can You Do?

It can seem a little scary when you add all those health conditions together. But one thing should be kept in mind: treating your hearing loss can have enormous positive influences. Scientists and researchers recognize that if hearing loss is treated, the risk of dementia substantially lowers even though they don’t really know exactly why hearing loss and dementia show up together in the first place.

So no matter what your comorbid condition may be, the best way to go is to have your hearing tested.

Part of an Ecosystem

That’s the reason why more health care professionals are viewing hearing health with new eyes. Instead of being a somewhat limited and specific area of concern, your ears are seen as closely connected to your overall wellbeing. We’re beginning to think about the body as an interrelated environment in other words. Hearing loss isn’t an isolated situation. So it’s relevant to pay attention to your health as a whole.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

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