9 Surprising Causes of Hearing Loss

When it comes to hearing loss, many people assume that you lose your hearing due to an accident, age or an illness or health condition. And for many people, this is true. However, there are many factors in life that can affect your hearing and result in some level of hearing loss. Read on to find out what can cause hearing loss that you may find surprising.

1. High Blood Pressure

A 2013 study of people with hearing loss discovered that 18% of participants with mild hearing loss had normal blood pressure while 34% had mild- high blood pressure. Around 54% of those in the study with significantly raised blood pressure had hearing loss, indicating that having higher than normal blood pressure can put you at risk of hearing loss.

2. Stress

Stress can affect our bodies in so many ways, but did you know it can also play a part in hearing loss? Tinnitus is already linked to people who experience high levels of stress, adding to this the research on hypertension as noted above. It is little wonder that those showing the physical signs of stress are more at risk of experiencing hearing loss than those living with little to no pressure.

3. Diabetes

People with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss as those without diabetes. Chronically elevated blood vessels are thought to damage blood vessels. Over time, this damage can occur in the capillaries in the war leading to hearing loss. This can be avoided by looking after yourself properly and making sure your diabetes is under control.

4. Smoking

Smoking is terrible for your health in various ways. Quitting smoking can lead to untold health benefits in smokers in as little as a few weeks. A study on smokers found that smokers are 70% more likely to experience hearing loss than nonsmokers. Hearing loss is due to the irritation smoking causes to the lining of the middle ear. Also, nicotine can block the neurotransmitters that send auditory information to the brain, further affecting your hearing. Stopping smoking can help you reduce the risk of more severe hearing loss.

5. Obesity

Hearing loss occurs in people overweight by the lack of nutrients, including B12 and blood flow restriction to the ear, but this can be rectified by losing weight safely. People with a BMI over 30 are more likely to experience hearing loss than those with a healthy weight. This is especially true for women with a BMI over 40 who have a 25% increased risk of hearing loss. Further increased by having a waist circumference of over 35 inches.

6. Allergies

The itching eyes, runny nose and puffy face all indicate the start of allergy for many people. However, you may also notice hearing loss when your allergies flare up. That being said, unlike other factors, allergy-induced hearing loss is typically temporary and only lasts for allergy season, with normal hearing restored past this point. If this isn’t the case, you should visit an audiologist to discuss a hearing test to determine hearing loss.

7. Medication

Some medications can affect how your body works and have some drastic temporary side effects. For example, over-the-counter (OTC) options like aspirin can cause temporary hearing loss that resolves once you stop taking medication; however, other drugs such as those for cancer treatments can have a more profound effect and leave you with hearing damage.

8. Illnesses

Many people have experienced that awful clogged-up feeling when suffering from a heavy cold or the flu. And while it is normal to experience hearing loss during these times – OTC remedies can help massively with symptoms; some illnesses can cause more damage to the middle ear than you might realize. Meningitis is one of the leading illnesses that can result in hearing loss, while those who contract measles can be at risk of losing all or some level of hearing.

9. Abrupt Changes in Pressure

This isn’t something most people have to worry about daily. Still, some activities such as scuba diving or flying places can increase the risk of hearing loss if you aren’t using protective equipment or partaking carefully.

A sudden but intense change in pressure can temporarily or even permanently damage your hearing. For example, air travel or scuba divers returning to the surface quickly. When flying, you can combat this by chewing gum, yawning or frequently swallowing to help your ears “pop.” However, if you dive, make sure you go with a licensed professional who can usually assist you in returning to the surface.

If you are concerned about any harm your lifestyle might be having on your hearing, contact one of our expert audiologists who can advise you today. Learn more about Hearing Aid Consultants of North Mississippi by calling this phone number: (662) 234-1337.