There are plenty of health reasons to stay in shape, but did you know weight loss promotes improved hearing?
Studies have demonstrated that exercising and eating healthy can reinforce your hearing and that people who are overweight have an increased possibility of experiencing hearing loss. It will be easier to make healthy hearing choices for you and your whole family if you learn about these connections.
Obesity And Adult Hearing
A Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s study revealed that women with a high body mass index (BMI) were at a higher danger of having hearing loss. BMI calculates the connection between body fat and height, with a higher number signifying higher body fat. Of the 68,000 women who took part in the study, the level of hearing loss increased as BMI increased. The participants who were the most overweight were as much as 25 percent more likely to have hearing loss!
In this study, waist size also turned out to be a dependable indicator of hearing loss. With women, as the waist size gets bigger, the chance of hearing loss also increases. And finally, incidents of hearing loss were decreased in people who took part in frequent physical activity.
Obesity And Children’s Hearing
Research conducted by Columbia University’s Medical Center confirmed that obese teenagers had almost twice the risk of experiencing hearing loss in one ear when compared to non-obese teenagers. These children experienced sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to sensitive hair cells in the inner ear that convey sound. This damage makes it hard to hear what people are saying in a noisy setting such as a classroom because it decreases the ability to hear lower frequencies.
Children usually don’t detect they have a hearing issue so when they have hearing loss it’s especially worrisome. If the problem isn’t addressed, there is a danger the hearing loss could worsen when they become adults.
What is The Connection?
Researchers suspect that the association between obesity and hearing loss and tinnitus lies in the health symptoms linked to obesity. High blood pressure, poor circulation, and diabetes are some of the health problems related to obesity and linked to hearing loss.
The sensitive inner ear contains various delicate parts including nerve cells, small capillaries, and other parts that will quit working properly if they are not kept healthy. Good blood flow is crucial. High blood pressure and the narrowing of blood vessels caused by obesity can impede this process.
Reduced blood flow can also damage the cochlea, which accepts sound waves and transmits nerve impulses to the brain so you can discern what you’re hearing. Damage to the cochlea and the adjoining nerve cells can rarely be undone.
Is There Anything You Can do?
Women who remained healthy and exercised frequently, according to a Brigham and Women’s Hospital study, had a 17% lowered likelihood of getting hearing loss compared to women who didn’t. 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 chance of hearing loss by 15%.
Your entire family will benefit from a better diet, as your diet can positively impact your hearing beyond the advantages gained from weight loss. 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 show them exercises that are fun for children and work them into family get-togethers. They might like the exercises enough to do them on their own!
If you suspect you are experiencing hearing loss, speak with a hearing professional to discover whether it is linked to your weight. Better hearing can come from weight loss and there’s help available. This individual can do a hearing test to confirm your suspicions and advise you on the measures necessary to deal with your hearing loss symptoms. A regimen of exercise and diet can be recommended by your primary care doctor if necessary.
