Hearing loss is an often overlooked chronic condition because it is both invisible and typically occurs gradually. But imapired hearing is the third most common chronic condition people experience today. Impacting over 48 million people, hearing loss is a pervasive health issue. It is commonly assumed that hearing loss only impacts the ears and hearing; however, it has multifaceted effects that can take a toll on overall health.
Extensive research shows that hearing loss is correlated with other health conditions including cognitive decline, depression, and diabetes. These links are known as comorbidities which is the coexistence of two or more chronic health conditions or diseases.
Cognitive Decline
One of the most known and researched hearing loss comorbidities is cognitive decline. Numerous studies investigate this link and reveal a significant correlation between both conditions. This includes an 8-year study, published in 2019 in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. The study included 10,107 participants who had their hearing and cognitive capacities evaluated through the multiyear study. Key findings included that cognitive decline was:
- 30% higher for people with mild hearing loss
- 42% higher for people with moderate hearing loss
- 54% higher for people with severe hearing loss
These findings not only show a significant link between the conditions but also that the more profound the hearing loss is, the greater the risk of cognitive decline. Findings from further studies and expertise from researchers suggest that the brain can be impacted by hearing loss in a variety of ways. Hearing loss results in less sound stimulation for the brain so the areas that are responsible for processing sound become less active. This weakens these portions and changes neural networks and connections. This weakening results in reduced cognitive function which increases the risk of developing conditions like Alzhemier’s disease.
Accidents & Injuries
There is also an association between hearing loss and falls which lead to accidental injuries. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among the elderly. Hearing loss also impacts the elderly disproportionately:
- 1 in 3 adults, ages 65-74 have hearing loss
- 1 in 2 adults, agest 75 and over have hearing loss
So there is significant overlap between these conditions. In a study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, researchers found that people with mild
hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. Researchers suggest that because hearing loss makes it challenging to hear especially in environments with background noise, this decreases spatial awareness which creates greater risk for falls. Also, hearing loss can disrupt the vestibular system (also housed in the inner ear) which is responsible for maintaining balance.
Depression
A major effect of hearing loss is social withdrawal. Because hearing loss symptoms make communication challenging, people often avoid conversations. This includes spending less time with others, avoiding social settings and activities, and retreating. This amplifies loneliness and isolation which contributes to depression. In a 2015 study that studied the relationship between hearing loss and depression, researchers found that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression as follows:
- 4.9% for individuals reporting excellent hearing
- 11.4% for people who reported a little to greater hearing loss
This shows that people with hearing loss were more than twice as likely to experience
depression.
Diabetes
Numerous studies show that people with diabetes can be more likely to have hearing loss compared to people without diabetes. In some studies, participants with diabetes were more than twice as likely to also have impaired hearing. Experts posit that high blood glucose levels can cause damage in the inner ear by affecting blood circulation and supply. This impacts the sensory cells in the inner ear which are responsible for converting soundwaves into electrical signals that get carried to the brain to be further processed.
Cardiovascular disease
Similar to hearing loss and diabetes, heart disease and impaired hearing are also linked likely due to blood flow and blood vessels. In a 2017 study of over 5,000 participants, researchers found that cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with hearing loss. Heart disease is commonly connected to blood vessel damage that results from hypertension, high cholesterol, or narrowed arteries. These issues can produce blockages or ruptures of vessels which cause events like heart attacks and strokes. Blood vessel damage also affects blood flow throughout the body including in the ear. This can impact the inner ear in similar ways as diabetes which leads to hearing loss.
Treating hearing loss is a critical and effective way to both transform hearing and reduce your risk of developing other health conditions. Contact us today to schedule a hearing consultation where you can learn more about how you can prioritize your health.