Hearing loss is not always a standalone condition and could be a symptom of disease.
Here are some of the connections made by various studies from researchers all over the world.
Obesity and Hearing Loss
Obesity is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. Studies have shown that active blood flow and oxygen significantly aid in healthy auditory systems. Since obesity puts a massive strain on the walls of our capillaries it is harder for them to transport oxygen to the tiny hair cells which are responsible for detecting sound, and translating these sounds to our brains for interpretation. And because obesity can also cause high blood pressure , your chances of developing a sensitivity to noise, Tinnitus and even noise-induced hearing loss significantly increase.
Parkinson’s Disease and Hearing Loss
Individuals suffering from this disease experience an increase in certain chemicals known to affect the inner ear function. This correlation drove Italian researchers at the University of Naples Parthenope to conduct a study which screened and compared hundreds of patients with Parkinson’s to another group without the disease.
These researchers found that almost 90% of the patients with Parkinson’s disease exhibited age-related hearing loss in one or both ears, and a finding that led to an interesting conclusion: The increase in chemicals found in Parkinson’s disease affects inner-ear susceptibility to noise-induced or age-related hearing loss.
Dementia and Hearing Loss
The Hearing Loss Association of America has stated that hearing loss may increase the risk of dementia.
In fact, JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery recently published a study revealing striking results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies from 12 countries which included 20,264 unique participants. A relationship between age induced hearing loss across all domains of cognitive function: “Among cross-sectional studies, a significant association was found for cognitive impairment and dementia.”
This suggest that age induced hearing loss is a possible biomarker and a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, cognitive impairment and dementia.
Like most medical conditions, the sooner you seek treatment from a medical professional — for hearing loss or any other symptom or condition — the better.
So, if you or someone you know is currently experiencing or displaying symptoms of hearing loss, get to know how hearing instruments can significantly enhance your life.
