It’s well understood, that over time, overeating will be unhealthy to your health. There are several health conditions related to obesity. Heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and you can add hearing loss to the list, as well. It’s calculated that around 48 million individuals in the United States, hearing loss is an issue for about 20% of the U.S population, and nearly double that number of adults, 93 million, are obese. These figures are surprising and point to a serious health concern throughout the country.
How Is Obesity Related to Hearing Loss?
Numerous studies have demonstrated that hearing loss and obesity have a relationship. Exactly what that relationship is, is still being researched, it’s believed that hearing loss and obesity have a connection because the circulatory system is affected. Also, loss of hearing is linked to high blood pressure and diabetes which are known to be connected to being overweight.
Sound in the ear is detected by little hairs in the inner ear. These hairs, called stereocilia, require a steady flow of blood and oxygen to function correctly. Because of obesity, the blood flow is restricted in the body since the heart will have to work extra hard to get the blood flowing around the body, which means that there is less than ideal amount of blood flow available to your ear. The ears can be irreversible damaged in this way. Considering that all of these diseases effect the flow of blood, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes impact the inner ear in a similar way.
Keeping your weight in check is particularly relevant as you age since age-related hearing loss and a high index of fat mass are also connected. Your body’s metabolism can’t work as well or as fast as it did in the past, which is the reason why you should attempt to formulate good habits when you’re younger and stay to those habits as the years go by.
A healthy diet and exercise are excellent for your general health and your hearing.
Treatment Options For Obesity-Associated Hearing Loss
If your hearing loss is triggered by obesity, you might never be able to get it back, still, so that you can figure out how extensive your hearing loss is, it’s essential to have your ears examined. If the damage is irreversible, you may need a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing correctly again.
If the damage is only slight, you might need to see your doctor about developing a diet and exercise plan to minimize the impact your weight has on your health before it gets any worse. Your doctor should set up a cardio intensive exercise program that will improve your overall health and get your blood pumping. There will be, more than likely, other improvements in your life also, like mental health, since consistent exercise has been proven to reduce depression.
How Can You Stop Obesity-Related Hearing Loss
So that you can prevent obesity-related loss of hearing regular exercise and a nutritious diet are a must. Your ears will most certainly be kept in superior condition if you keep yourself healthy. A program that can help you reach your goals and that is customized for you can be created by a nutritionist. The role of the nutritionist is to make certain you’re eating the correct combination of nutrients in healthy foods, like foods that are high in iron, because of course, a lack of iron in your diet can worsen your hearing loss and result in tinnitus.
Learn more about hearing loss and how you can hear better with the proper treatment.