Immunology

Gen Xers and baby boomers should no longer ignore their hearing loss, says the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), which is raising awareness of the link between cardiovascular and hearing health in recognition of World Heart Day on September 29^th. A growing body of research shows that a person's hearing health and cardiovascular health frequently correspond. And because the jury is still out on exactly why there is a connection and which comes first, it behooves those 40 and older to get their hearing tested as a routine part of their medical care. The vast majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, which have been shown to improve quality of life.

To help people determine if they need a comprehensive hearing test by a hearing healthcare professional, BHI is offering a free, quick, and confidential online hearing check at www.hearingcheck.org.

Some expertsâ€"like Charles E. Bishop, AuD, Assistant Professor in the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciencesâ€"find the evidence showing a link between cardiovascular and hearing health so compelling that they say the ear may be a window to the heart. Bishop believes the closer the collaboration between medical disciplines the better for the patient.

"Hearing health should not be assessed in a vacuum," says Bishop. "There is simply too much evidence that hearing loss is related to cardiovascular disease and other health conditions. It's time we maximized the information we have in order to benefit the individual's overall wellbeing."

Why the Heart-Hearing Connection?

Studies have shown that a healthy cardiovascular systemâ€"a person's heart, arteries, and veinsâ€"has a positive effect on hearing. Conversely, inadequate blood flow and trauma to the blood vessels of the inner ear can contribute to hearing loss.

David R. Friedland, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice-Chair of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, has been studying the relationship between cardiovascular and hearing health for years. He offers up this response: