Learn How Your Ears Are a Window to Your Heart

On Valentine’s Day, many aspire to flowers, chocolate and loving moments. While enjoying heartfelt reflections, it is also critical to discover how healthy hearts and eating smart can positively influence our quality of life for years to come.

With approximately 655,000 people dying annually of heart disease in the U.S. and 17.9 million globally, more should be aware that coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type, affecting about 18.2 million adults age 20 and older, with potentially life-threatening implications. While not enough of those at risk understand these facts, even less realize ears can be a “window to your heart.”

Did you know some types of hearing loss should be considered risk factors which can be systemically associated with heart disease and strokes? Research indicates your inner ear’s sensitivity to blood flow, as well as vessel trauma, may enable hearing loss to be an early indicator of and screening test for heart problems. While few are in the know, most are surprised to learn.

“A strong relationship was found between low-frequency hearing thresholds and cardiovascular events. In both men and women, there was a statistically significant correlation between low-frequency hearing loss and coronary heart disease and stroke.” ¹

“Namely, we propose that low-frequency hearing loss is a marker for cardiovascular disease rather than the other way around. Low-frequency hearing loss would thus represent a potential predictor of impending cardiovascular events or underlying disease. We suggest that clinicians may use the audiogram as a sensitive and reproducible screen for cardiovascular compromise.” 1

“It appears that there may be a positive relationship between cardiovascular fitness / health and the function of the peripheral and central auditory systems in adults.” ²

While heart disease prevention is always crucial, recent research also indicates that adults of any age with heart failure, coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. More than ever, you should know.

The American Heart Association suggests many practical things we can do to improve awareness and prevention, including exercising frequently, controlling blood pressure, eating a nutritious diet and not smoking.

While we take your hearing care seriously, a little laughter goes a long way.

Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

Do you have heart disease or a family history which increases your risk of heart disease? Please see us for periodic evaluations to accurately assess your type and degree of hearing loss. In close coordination with your other healthcare providers, we will suggest healthy options to improve your quality of life and awareness of hearing-related cardiovascular risk factors.