Cardiovascular Disease and Hearing Loss

Cardiovascular Disease and Hearing Loss

Studies show that cardiovascular disease can lead to faster hearing loss, especially for low-frequency sounds.3,4

Cardiovascular disease can speed up hearing loss due to reduced blood flow to the ear and the brain areas responsible for hearing.5,6

The reduced blood flow can cause important structures in the inner ear to shrink, leading to lower fluid levels needed to stimulate the auditory nerves, making it harder to hear.5,6

cardiovascular

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease

48.6%

of US adults ages 20 and older have cardiovascular disease.1

Over 100 Years

heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for over a century.

$400 Billion

is spent each year related to cardiovascular disease.1

doctor holding heart

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a range of health problems affecting the heart and blood vessels. This includes conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Cardiovascular disease affects overall health

Health risks associated with cardiovascular disease:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes

Research shows that these risk factors can significantly increase the likelihood of hearing loss.2

How to reduce risk

Lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by living a healthy lifestyle7 including:

  • Eat high-fiber, low-fat foods
  • Limit salt, sugar, and alcohol
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Engage in regular exercise
  • Quit smoking and tobacco use
  • Monitor cholesterol levels and blood pressure

Consult your physician for all ongoing medical conditions, treatments, or concerns.

Regular hearing assessments and interventions for hearing loss are essential, especially for those with cardiovascular disease risk factors.2

References:

1. Martin, S. S., Aday, A. W., Almarzooq, Z. I., Anderson, C. A. M., Arora, P., Avery, C. L., … American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee (2024). 2024 Heart disease and stroke statistics: A report of US and global data from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 149(8), e347-e913. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001209

2. Baiduc, R. R., Sun, J. W., Berry, C. M., Anderson, M., & Vance, E. A. (2023). Relationship of cardiovascular disease risk and hearing loss in a clinical population. Sci Rep, 13(1), 1642. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28599-9

3. Wattamwar, K., Qian, Z. J., Otter, J., Leskowitz, M. J., Caruana, F. F., Siedlecki, B., … Lalwani, A. K. (2018). Association of cardiovascular comorbidities with hearing loss in the older old. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 144(7), 623-629. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.0643

4. Oron, Y., Elgart, K., Marom, T., & Roth, Y. (2014). Cardiovascular risk factors as causes for hearing impairment. Audiol Neurootol, 19(4), 256-260. https://doi.org/10.1159/000363215

5. Bertrand, R. A., & Huang, Z. (2018). Association between audiometric patterns and probabilities of cardiovascular diseases. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 3(6), 478-485. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.206

6. Hull, R. H., & Kerschen, S. R. (2010). The influence of cardiovascular health on peripheral and central auditory function in adults: a research review. Am J Audiol, 19(1), 9-16. https://doi.org/10.1044/1059-0889(2010/08-0040)

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Preventing heart disease. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/prevention/index.html