It’s well recognized, that over longer periods of time, eating way too much will be harmful to your health. There are a number of health conditions related to obesity. You can add hearing loss to diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease as a possible problem. It’s estimated that approximately 48 million people in the U . S ., approximately 20% of this country’s population, deal with loss of hearing, and almost double that number of adults, 93 million, are obese. These numbers are staggering and point to a significant health issue throughout the country.
How Is Obesity Linked to Hearing Loss?
Numerous studies have revealed that there’s a relationship between being overweight and hearing loss. Precisely what that relationship is, is still being investigated, it’s believed that loss of hearing and being overweight have a relationship because the circulatory system is affected. Also, hearing loss is connected to diabetes and high blood pressure which are known to be associated with being overweight.
Our inner ears are filled with tiny hairs that perceive sound in the ear. These hairs, called stereocilia, require a steady flow of blood and oxygen to work correctly. Obesity confines the flow of blood in the body because the heart must work harder to get the blood to flow throughout the body, which means that your inner ear is operating on too little blood flow. Your hearing can be irreversible impaired in this way. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease affect the inner ear in a similar manner, as each of these illnesses negatively effects your blood flow.
It’s particularly worthwhile to keep control of your weight as you get older since age-related hearing loss is also related to a high fat mass index. When you were younger, your body’s metabolism worked more efficiently and faster, which is why you should try to form healthy habits when you’re younger and stay with those habits as you age.
A healthy diet and exercise are great for your general health and your hearing.
Treatments For Obesity-Associated Hearing Loss
It’s possible that you may not be able to recover your lost hearing if it’s brought on by obesity, nonetheless, so that you can figure out how significant your hearing loss is, it’s essential to have your hearing screened. If the damage is permanent, you might need a hearing aid or other device to begin hearing correctly again.
If the damage is only minor, you may want to consult your physician before your health worsens, about creating an exercise and diet plan to reduce the impact your weight has on your health. Your doctor should prescribe a cardio intensive exercise routine that will get your blood pumping and strengthen your overall health. You will most likely find that other areas of your life also improve, such as mental health, since consistent exercise has been proven to decrease depression.
How Can You Stop Obesity-Related Hearing Loss
So that you can avoid obesity-related loss of hearing consistent exercise and a nutritious diet are a must. Your hearing will undoubtedly be kept in better condition if you keep your body healthy. A good place to start is to consult with a nutritionist who can help develop a plan that is individualized for you and is targeted on helping you attain your goals. The job of the nutritionist is to make sure you’re eating healthy foods with the best mix of nutrients, such as foods that are high in iron, since, you guessed it, a lack of iron in your diet can exacerbate your hearing loss and result in tinnitus.
Find out more regarding hearing loss and the treatments available to help you hear better.
