There are lots of health reasons to stay in shape, but did you know weight loss promotes improved hearing?
Studies have established that exercising and healthy eating can strengthen your hearing and that people who are overweight have an increased chance of dealing with hearing loss. Learning more about these connections can help you make healthy hearing choices for you and your family.
Obesity And Adult Hearing
A Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s study demonstrated that women with a high body mass index (BMI) were at an increased risk of experiencing hearing loss. The connection between body fat and height is what BMI measures. The higher the number the higher the body fat. Of the 68,000 women who took part in the study, the degree of hearing loss increased as BMI increased. The participants who were the most overweight were as much as 25 % more likely to experience hearing loss!
Another reliable indicator of hearing loss, in this study, was the size of a person’s waist. With women, as the waist size increases, the chance of hearing loss also increases. As a final point, participants who engaged in regular physical activity had a lower incidence of hearing loss.
Children’s Hearing And Obesity
A study on obese versus non-obese teenagers, performed by Columbia University Medical Center, concluded that obese teenagers were twice as likely to experience hearing loss in one ear than teenagers who weren’t obese. These children suffered sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to sensitive hair cells in the inner ear that carry sound. This damage led to a decreased ability to hear sounds at low frequencies, which makes it hard to hear what people are saying in crowded places, such as classrooms.
Children frequently don’t notice they have a hearing issue so when they have hearing loss it’s especially worrisome. There will be an increasing danger that the issue will get worse as they become an adult if it goes unaddressed.
What is The Connection?
Obesity is related to several health problems and researchers believe that its connection with hearing loss and tinnitus lies with these health problems. High blood pressure, diabetes, and poor circulation are all tied to hearing loss and are frequently the result of obesity.
The inner ear’s anatomy is very sensitive – consisting of a series of little capillaries, nerve cells, and other fragile parts that must remain healthy to work properly and in unison. It’s crucial to have strong blood flow. High blood pressure and the narrowing of blood vessels brought about by obesity can impede this process.
The cochlea is a part of the inner ear that receives sound vibrations and transmits them to the brain for interpretation. The cochlea can be damaged if it doesn’t receive the proper blood flow. Damage to the cochlea and the adjoining nerve cells usually can’t be reversed.
What Should You do?
Women in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital study who exercised the most had a 17 percent decreased chance of developing hearing loss in comparison with those who exercised least. Lessening your risk, however, doesn’t mean you have to be a marathon runner. The simple act of walking for at least two hours every week can reduce your risk of hearing loss by 15%.
Beyond weight loss, a better diet will, of itself, improve your hearing which will benefit your entire family. If you have a child or grandchild in your family who is obese, discuss steps your family can take to promote a healthier lifestyle. You can teach them exercises that are enjoyable for children and incorporate them into family get-togethers. They might enjoy the exercises so much they will do them on their own!
Talk to a hearing professional to determine if any hearing loss you might be experiencing is related to your weight. Weight loss promotes better hearing and help is available. Your hearing specialist will determine your level of hearing loss and advise you on the best plan of action. A program of exercise and diet can be suggested by your primary care doctor if needed.