We’ve long known that eating too much is detrimental to our health, this is especially true over longer periods of time. There are several health conditions related to obesity. Heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and you can put hearing on the list, as well. It’s calculated that about 48 million individuals in the United States, loss of hearing is a problem for around 20% of the U.S population, and roughly double that number of adults, 93 million, are obese. Throughout the country, these shocking statistics point out a serious health problem.
How Is Obesity Connected to Hearing Loss?
Numerous studies have demonstrated that there’s a connection between obesity and loss of hearing. Even though scientists are still studying the relationship, it’s assumed that hearing loss and being overweight have a connection because the circulatory system is affected. Also, loss of hearing is connected to diabetes and high blood pressure which are recognized to be connected to obesity.
Our inner ears are filled with microscopic hairs that detect sound in the ear. These tiny hairs, called stereocilia, need a steady blood flow and oxygen to function properly. Obesity restricts the blood flow throughout the body since the heart must 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 permanently damage the ears. As each of these diseases effect the blood flow, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure affect the inner ear in the same way.
Keeping your weight under control is especially worthwhile as you age since age-related hearing loss and a high index of fat mass are also connected. When you were younger, your body’s metabolism worked more efficiently and faster, which is why you should attempt to create good habits when you’re younger and stick with those habits as you get older.
Your hearing and your overall health are helped by a healthy diet.
Obesity Related Loss of Hearing Treatments
It’s feasible that you might not be able to recover your lost hearing if it’s caused by obesity, nevertheless, it’s always smart to get your hearing screened to identify the magnitude of your loss of hearing. If you have irreversible injury, you might need a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing correctly again.
If the injury is only minor, you might need to consult your physician about creating an exercise and diet routine to minimize the impact your weight has on your health before it gets any worse. Your doctor should prescribe a cardio intensive exercise program that will get your blood pumping and enhance your overall health. You will most likely find that other aspects of your life also get better, mental health, for example, since regular exercise has been proven to reduce depression.
How Can You Avoid Obesity-Related Hearing Loss
A nutritious diet and a regular exercise regime are required to stopping obesity-related disorders like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Your hearing will certainly be kept in better shape if you keep yourself healthy. A good place to start is to consult with a nutritionist who can assist you to develop a strategy that is individualized for you and is targeted on assisting you to achieve your goals. The nutritionist can make sure you’re eating the right blend of nutrients in healthy foods, foods that have plenty of iron, for example, since, you guessed it, a lack of iron in your diet can exacerbate your loss of hearing and trigger tinnitus.
Discover more regarding hearing loss and how you can hear better with the proper treatment.