By the Beltone Hearing Care Team
February is Heart Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on the importance of cardiovascular health. While most people think of diet, exercise, and blood pressure when it comes to taking care of their hearts, there's another key area that deserves attention — your hearing.
Recent research shows a strong link between cardiovascular health and hearing ability. In fact, keeping your heart healthy can also help protect your ears. Understanding this connection can make a meaningful difference in your overall well-being.
How the Heart and Hearing Are Connected
Your cardiovascular system — including your heart and blood vessels — is responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood throughout your body, including to your inner ear. The inner ear's cochlea, which converts sound waves into signals for the brain, depends on a steady supply of blood to function properly.
When circulation is reduced due to heart disease, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular issues, the cochlea can become deprived of the oxygen and nutrients it needs. This can lead to permanent hearing damage over time.
Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people with cardiovascular disease — especially those with high blood pressure — are more likely to experience hearing loss. The reason? Damaged or narrowed blood vessels restrict blood flow to the inner ear, affecting how well it can process sound.
High Blood Pressure and Hearing Loss
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common cardiovascular conditions in the world. It occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high, putting strain on both your heart and your blood vessels.
Over time, hypertension can damage even the smallest blood vessels — including those in the inner ear. When these vessels become stiff or narrow, they can no longer deliver enough oxygen to the sensitive hair cells responsible for detecting sound. Once these cells are damaged, hearing loss is often permanent.
Cholesterol's Role in Hearing Health
Cholesterol also plays a major role in both heart and hearing health. When levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol) are high, plaque builds up in the arteries, restricting blood flow. This affects every part of the body — including the delicate structures of the inner ear.
A study by the American Heart Association found that individuals with high cholesterol were more likely to experience hearing loss due to reduced circulation and less flexible blood vessels. Over time, this limited blood flow can impact the cochlea's ability to process sound efficiently.
The Impact of Diabetes on Hearing and Heart Health
Diabetes is another key factor that affects both cardiovascular and hearing health. High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including those that supply the inner ear.
Studies show that people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss compared to those without the condition. Because diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, it can amplify the overall risk to hearing health.
Managing blood sugar effectively and maintaining regular checkups with both your doctor and hearing care provider can help protect against long-term complications.
Protecting Your Heart and Your Ears
Maintaining healthy circulation benefits your entire body — including your hearing. You can take proactive steps to protect both:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Reduce salt, sugar, and processed foods.
- Stay active: Regular physical activity supports healthy blood pressure and circulation.
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol: Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for medications, diet, and exercise.
- Monitor blood sugar levels: Proper diabetes management helps prevent inner ear damage.
- Schedule regular hearing checkups: Early detection of hearing changes helps prevent further loss and ensures timely care.
Why Beltone Emphasizes Whole-Body Wellness
At Beltone, we believe hearing health is closely connected to overall wellness — including heart health. Our hearing care professionals understand how systemic conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes can impact hearing over time.
That's why we recommend routine hearing evaluations as part of every wellness plan, especially for adults managing cardiovascular risk factors.
Our team offers complimentary hearing screenings in a comfortable, supportive environment where your hearing and health are our top priorities.
Take the next step toward protecting both your heart and your hearing — schedule your free Beltone hearing evaluation today.