It’s well understood, that over longer periods of time, overeating will be unhealthy to your health. There are a number of health conditions related to obesity. You can add hearing loss to high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes as a potential concern. It’s estimated that approximately 48 million individuals in the U . S ., approximately 20% of the nation’s population, suffer from hearing loss, and in adults it’s almost double that number, 93 million, are obese. Throughout the country, these shocking numbers point out a significant health concern.

What is The Relationship Between Hearing Loss And Being Overweight?

Numerous studies have demonstrated that there’s a relationship between obesity and hearing loss. Although scientists are still investigating the connection, it’s thought that being overweight is related to loss of hearing because of its effect on our circulatory system. Also, hearing loss is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure which are known to be connected to obesity.

Sound in the ear is detected by small hairs inside the inner ear. These hairs, called stereocilia, need a steady blood flow and oxygen to work properly. Because of obesity, the blood flow is restricted throughout the body since the heart must work harder to get the blood to flow around the body, which means that your inner ear is operating on less-than-optimal blood flow. This can irreversibly damage the ears. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease affect the inner ear in a similar manner, since each of these diseases negatively impacts your circulation.

Keeping your weight in check is particularly important as you age 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 the reason why you should attempt to stick with healthy habits that you formed when you were younger.

Your hearing and your general health are helped by a healthy diet.

Obesity Associated Hearing Loss Treatment Options

If your loss of hearing is brought about by obesity, you may never be able to get it back, still, it’s always good to get your ears tested to determine the degree of your hearing loss. If you have permanent damage, you might need a hearing aid or other device to start hearing correctly again.

If the damage is not that serious, you might have considered trying to consult your doctor before your health worsens, about making an exercise and diet plan to minimize the effect your weight has on your well being. Your doctor should recommend a cardio intensive exercise routine that will get your blood pumping and improve your general health. There will be, more than likely, other improvements in your life too, such as mental health, since regular exercise will decrease depression according to a lot of research.

Obesity-Related Hearing Loss, How to Prevent it

A healthy diet and a regular exercise strategy are essential to avoiding obesity-related disorders like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Your hearing will undoubtedly be kept in better shape if you keep yourself healthy. A plan that can help you achieve your goals and that is individualized for you can be specially designed by a nutritionist. The role of the nutritionist is to make sure you’re consuming nutritious foods with the correct mix of nutrients, including 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.

Discover more concerning hearing loss and the solutions available to help you hear better.