Overall health and hearing health go hand-in-hand in many ways.

Your hearing health is closely tied to your overall health in the following ways:

• Several studies point to a significant correlation between hearing loss and loss of cognitive function.
• Adults with hearing loss have a higher rate of moderate to severe depression.
• Smokers have a 70% higher risk of having hearing loss than non-smokers.
• Higher body mass index and larger waist circumferences are associated with increased risk of hearing loss in women.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active may reduce the risk of hearing loss.
• Hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics.

We don’t know whether these are “cause and effect” relationships, but we are realizing more and more that hearing loss does not happen in isolation.   Your ears are part of your total wellness program!

Let’s look at diet:

Hearing may be affected by many things.  
Researchers at the University of Florida have found a link between healthy eating and hearing.   According to Dr. Christopher Spankowich “Our hearing health is linked to our general health.  Our auditory system is dependent on our cardiovascular, neural and metabolic health, and if we are not healthy in general, it makes sense that we could increase our susceptibility to hearing loss.”

In this study, a healthy diet meant that the person who scored well on the Healthy Eating Index ate close to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recommendations – plenty of vegetables, fruit, and fiber, but not too much salt, cholesterol, and fat.

Some are out of our control: sex, genetics, ethnicity and age.  But we can be mindful of the controllable factors such as cardiovascular health, diet, noise exposure and ototoxic medications.

This study indicates a connection, but we do not yet know if there is a causal link.  Meanwhile, it’s a good idea to view healthy hearing as a part of a total wellness program.

The role of exercise...keep moving!

68,000 women were followed in the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study.  They were questioned about health and daily habits.  1 in 6 women had some hearing loss.  They found that women with higher body mass indexes and larger waist circumferences were at greater risk for hearing loss.  But – the good news is that more physical activity was associated with lower risk of hearing loss.  Marathons not required!  For women who walked more than 4 hours a week, their risk of hearing loss dropped by about 15%.

Why this connection?

We don’t know for sure.  The ear is metabolically active.  It needs good blood supply to function at its best. Obesity narrows blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure, hampering blood flow and perhaps depriving the cochlea (the part of the inner ear where the sensory cells meet the nerve endings that send information to the brain) of optimal nourishment.

If you have concerns about weight-related health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, or arthritis, it is a good idea to schedule a full professional hearing evaluation.  Healthy habits can improve your overall quality of life, and your hearing health as well.

Your hearing and brain power… new connections are coming to light.

Hearing loss is so common that some people think of it as an expected part of aging, and “no big deal.”

But studies from John Hopkins University are finding links between hearing loss and cognition, including memory, attention, and concentration.  Some brilliant research has been conducted by Dr. Frank Lin, an otologist and epidemiologist at Hopkins.  Dr. Lin says that hearing loss should not be considered a normal part of aging.

In one study Dr. Lin found that adults with hearing loss at the beginning of the study were more to have cognitive decline than adults with normal hearing.  Another study indicated that there were brain changes in people with hearing loss not seen in people with normal hearing.  Hearing loss was also associated with increased risk of falls, stress, and depression.

Dr. Lin’s findings are supported by other neuroscientists, who are also finding that people with hearing loss develop cognitive decline at a higher rate.  “His research has been fantastic,” said another researcher. “It’s energized our field and brought this issue to the forefront.  He’s a real pioneer in this area.”

Next step for the researchers is to figure out the chicken-and-egg questions of what causes what.  And perhaps the biggest question is whether treating hearing loss with appropriate amplification helps to keep the brain functioning well.

Meanwhile, stay on top of your hearing health.  Get a baseline test so you know where you stand.  We will do our best to inform you, answer your questions, and keep you proactive in your wellness program. For more information on testing visit our website.

Talking with a Loved One About Hearing Loss

by Judy Rasin

Hearing loss is a family affair.  

When someone has difficulty hearing it is not their problem alone - the entire family is affected.  The need for repetition interrupts the flow of communication and may be a source of frustration for all.  Watching a loved one withdraw from conversations and enjoyable activities is heartbreaking.  You can make a difference for your loved one.

Convincing your loved one to seek professional help may take a bit of courage!  It is the right thing to do, yet it may not be easy.  Hearing loss often comes on so gradually that the person with the loss is the last to be aware there is a problem.

A spouse with the best of intentions may become the “ears” for the person who is not hearing well.  While this is surely helpful in the moment it may prevent the person from realizing how much communication they are missing or mis-hearing.

Here are some things you can do to get the conversation going:
Talk to your loved one about their hearing concerns.

• Raise their awareness by pointing out when you “translate” for them.

• Suggest a visit to an audiologist to get a professional evaluation and gather information.  Offer to schedule an appointment and join them at the consultation.  There is nothing to lose and may be a great deal to gain.

Your suggestions may be met with some push-back.  Don’t be surprised – we often hold on to our preconceived ideas.  Unlike vision, when hearing loss develops people are not as quick to address it.  Many wait years before seeking treatment.

Your loved one may think that if he had a real hearing loss his family doctor would have diagnosed it.  But, fewer than 20% of doctors routinely screen for hearing loss.  A one-to-one talk in the doctor’s office may not point up the difficulties that a slightly more challenging conversation in a little background noise would, so the physician may not notice real-world hearing difficulties.

Some people are concerned about how hearing aids look.  Today’s hearing aids are sleek and “tech-y.”  They are the tools to get the job done.  And, remember hearing aids are less noticeable than mis-hearing conversation and responding inappropriately.

Some folks say that a little hearing loss is not so bad – “I’ll wait till it gets worse.”  But we have learned that even mild hearing loss leads to effortful listening, stress, social isolation, and even reduced earning power.  Acclimatization to hearing aids is easy – especially with family support, motivation, and a little patience.

Share in your loved one’s hearing care.  Hearing wellness involves the whole family.  There are so many ways in which we can help you on this journey.

Judy Rasin is a licensed New York State Audiologist and hearing aid dispenser at The Hearing Center at Pelham. You can contact Judy at (718) 822-4100 or visit their website.