Can Your Hearing Be Impacted By Obesity?

There are many health reasons to stay fit with a healthy BMI. But what if we told you that research shows that overweight adults and children are more likely to have hearing loss. Not
only that, but exercising and eating healthy supports good hearing.

Understanding the role obesity plays in your hearing can help you make healthy decisions for yourself and your family. Follow along as we help you answer the question: Can obesity affect your hearing?

Obesity’s Impact On Adult Hearing

Research by Brigham And Women’s Hospital found that women who have a high body mass index will have an increased risk of developing some level of hearing impairment.

Body mass index, or BMI, measures a person’s height and weight. Technically, it’s a body’s weight divided by height to give you your BMI. This is a number you want to keep in a healthy range between 18.5 and 24.9. The larger the number, the greater body fat (unless you’re an athlete with high amounts of muscle, which will alter your results).

Sixty-eight thousand women took part in the hospital’s study, and the findings were sobering. As the subject’s BMI increased, so did the level of their hearing loss. The study found that the participants carrying the most extra weight were up to 25% more likely to develop hearing loss.
Not only was the participant’s overall weight an indicator of likely hearing loss, but it was found that the loss followed waist size hand in hand.

The development of hearing loss was lower for those who exercised regularly.

Obesity’s Impact On Children’s Hearing

Another study by Columbia Medical Center evaluated both obese and non-obese teenagers and determined that the obese teens were twice as likely to end up with hearing loss in at least one ear.

Inner ear damage was common among obese children. This sensorineural hearing loss happens when the hair cells of the inner ear are impaired, making it challenging to hear lower frequencies. This is especially noticeable when trying to discern speech in loud environments.

Hearing loss with children is especially concerning since hearing is critical developmentally. What makes it even more troubling is that children frequently don’t even realize they have a hearing impairment. They should be tested because their hearing could worsen going into adulthood if left unchecked.

Is There A Connection?

When researchers looked at the relationship between hearing loss and obesity, they found the link is based on health symptoms like blood pressure, diabetes, and reduced circulation. Often, these symptoms result in someone suffering from chronic obesity.

The inner workings of the ear are highly sensitive. For your hearing to be optimal, all the ear parts need to work accurately and in unison. The inner ear comprises many delicate parts, like nerve cells and a string of tiny capillaries. If those parts are healthy with good blood flow, your hearing will be ideal. When the blood flow is compromised with obesity-driven high blood pressure, blood vessels are constricted, and hearing is affected.

Lack of blood flow can also affect the performance of (and potentially damage) the cochlea.
The cochlea’s job within the inner ear is to receive sound vibrations and relay them to the brain.
So lack of blood flow or other damage to the cochlea has a massive impact, since this type of impairment is rarely reversible.

What You Can Do

Staying healthy is the key to overall well-being and hearing health. Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that women who exercised often and lived a healthy lifestyle reduced the chances of developing hearing loss by 17%. This doesn’t mean you have to become a gym rat or marathon runner to keep your risks to a minimum. Simply adding a couple of hours of walking to your week can drop your risk of developing hearing loss by a solid 15%.

Positively altering your diet can help improve your hearing and enhance your family’s health if they make those changes with you. Educating your family on healthier habits with their diets and exercise can cause fewer health problems and better hearing. All those steps will help with weight loss. There are many foods you can add to your diet to protect your hearing.

Foods That Protect Your Hearing

Magnesium
Magnesium helps maintain nerve function and protects the hair cells in the inner ear. Eat the following foods:

• Dark chocolate
• Pumpkin and flax seeds
• Whole grains
• Avocados
• Salmon
• Kale and spinach
• Bananas
• Nuts and legumes

Potassium
A drop in fluid levels in the inner ear can contribute to hearing loss, but getting enough potassium helps regulate the fluid in the body. Eat the following foods:

• Cucumbers
• Mushrooms and spinach
• Sweet potatoes and potatoes
• Eggs
• Apricots, watermelons, coconut, oranges, and cantaloupe
• Peas

Folate
Circulation plays a vital role in your ears’ health. Folate can increase circulation in the body. Getting enough folate in your diet can help prevent hearing loss. Eat these folate-rich foods:

• Brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, and broccoli
• Peas
• Kidney beans
• Chickpeas
• Liver
• Fortified breakfast cereals and whole grain
• Lemons, melons, and bananas
• Eggs
• Peanuts and sunflower seeds

Zinc
Zinc helps with cell growth and boosts the immune system, helping to ward off ear infections. Add more of these zinc-rich foods into your diet:

• Dark chocolate
• Oatmeal
• Yogurt
• Beans
• Lentils
• Peanuts and cashews
• Oysters, crab, and lobster
• Pork, beef, and dark chicken
• Mushrooms, kale, and spinach
• Garlic
• Pumpkin seeds

Omega-3s

Omega-3s fatty acids in your diet can help keep your ears functioning well as you age. Add more of the following foods to your plate:

• Walnuts
• Flax, hemp, and chia seeds
• Fortified eggs
• Fortified milk
• Purslane
• Brussels sprouts and spinach
• Sardines, tuna, mackerel, oysters, and salmon

If you’ve experienced some hearing loss, speak to a professional to determine if it’s related to weight-related issues. If so, losing weight with a healthy diet and exercise regime is recommended. Contact our hearing professionals at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas for specialized hearing care. We can help you protect your hearing, but if necessary, take steps toward regaining your hearing and life!