Healthy Hearing
By Dr. Bettie Borton Au.D.
Obesity and Hearing Loss: is there a link? Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that more than one-third of all adults in the U.S. are considered Dr. Bettie Borton Au. D. overweight. Excess body weight has a negative impact on our cardiac and circulatory systems. Another major risk factor resulting from being overweight is diabetes, namely Type II diabetes, which is ranked as the seventh leading underlying cause of death in the U.S. Type II diabetes is an established cause of heart disease and stroke.
Current research has given us an additional incentive to stay active and healthy – maintaining our hearing health. A recent publication in the American Journal of Medicine suggests a relationship between obesity and hearing impairment. A similar study out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital suggests increased levels of exercise are related to decreased risks of hearing impairment. “We often think of hearing loss as an inevitable part of the aging process, but these findings provide evidence that potentially modifiable risk factors, such as maintain a healthy weight and staying physically active, may help in the prevention of hearing loss or delaying its progression,” stated researcher Sharon Curhan, M.D., SC.M., of the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Through their compilation of data of over 68,000 women, researchers discovered correlations between increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference with hearing deficits. Specifically, women classified as obese (BMI 30-34) had a 17% greater chance of having hearing
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impairment when compared to women classified as having normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9). A 25% greater chance of hearing loss was found in subjects with a BMI of 40 or greater. Similarly, women with a waist circumference of 80 - 88 cm had an 11% greater chance of having hearing impairment when compared to women who had a waist circumference of less than 71 cm. Women with a waist circumference larger than 88 cm had a 27% greater chance of having hearing deficits.
Physical activity appeared to lessen the risk for hearing impairment. The subjects who exercised most frequently had a 17% lower risk of hearing loss when compared to the subjects who completed the least amount of exercise. Findings suggest that walking as little as two hours a week decreased risk for hearing loss 15% more than walking less than an hour a week. Although this study does not establish a causal relationship, only showing an association between hearing loss and excess body fat, this isn’t the first time the two have been connected. A 2013 study published in The Laryngoscope suggested that obese teens have a virtually doubled risk of unilateral low frequency hearing impairment when compared to teens of normal weight. The researchers of that study hypothesized a probable reason for this relationship is inflammation from obesity; additional reasons include Type II diabetes and heart disease. Why does excess body fat impact hearing?
Blood circulation in the inner ear is the likely factor affected by obesity and its comorbidities. Our inner ears contain fluid, nerve endings, and auditory hair cells. Healthy hair cells perform the vital function of identifying sound before it is transformed into an electrical signal and sent to the brain
for interpretation. Damage to these hair cells causes irreversible hearing loss. Adequate blood circulation and oxygen are required for the maintenance of these hair cells. Since obesity negatively impacts the integrity of our capillaries, the hair cells struggle to obtain oxygen.
High blood pressure can be caused from having excess weight or being classified as obese. This excess weight puts a strain on our heart to effectively transport blood throughout our bodies. High blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of stroke and hearing loss. Even if high blood pressure doesn’t result in hearing loss, it can cause or exacerbate tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. If you’ve realized that you need to lose some weight this year, please seek advice from your physician before starting any type of weight loss regimen. The subsequent health benefits will be music to your ears.
If you’ve noticed increased difficulty understanding and identify with the aforementioned risk factors for hearing loss, contact Doctors Hearing Clinic, a HEARINGLife Company, for a complimentary hearing consultation. For more information please contact Doctors Hearing Clinic at (334) 3961635.
Content adapted from Healthy Hearing website and an article, Obesity Linked with Hearing Loss, from Huffington Post published November 26, 2013. Dr. Bettie B. Borton is a licensed audiologist in Alabama, was the first board certified audiologist in Montgomery, served as National Chair of the American Board of Audiology, and has recently assumed her position as President of the American Academy of Audiology. Co-authored by Dr. Brittany Spahr and Casey Gonzalez, Doctoral Extern, LSU Health.
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