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“Woman

There are plenty of health reasons to stay in shape, but did you know weight loss promotes better hearing?

Studies have demonstrated that exercising and eating healthy can improve your hearing and that people who are overweight have an increased risk of getting hearing loss. It will be easier to make healthy hearing choices for you and your whole family if you understand these relationships.

Obesity And Adult Hearing

A Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s study showed women with a high body mass index (BMI) were at a higher danger of having hearing loss. BMI measures the connection between height and body fat, with a higher number signifying higher body fat. The higher the BMI of the 68,000 women in the study, the higher their hearing loss frequency. The heaviest individuals in the study had a 25% higher instance of hearing loss.

In this study, waist size also ended up being a dependable indicator of hearing loss. With women, as the waist size increases, the chance of hearing loss also increases. As a final point, participants who engaged in regular physical activity had a decreased incidence of hearing loss.

Children’s Hearing And Obesity

A study by Columbia University’s Medical Center revealed that obese teenagers had almost twice the risk of developing hearing loss in one ear when compared to non-obese teenagers. Sensorineural hearing loss, which happens when the delicate hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, was common in these children. This damage led to a diminished ability to hear sounds at low frequencies, which makes it difficult to understand what people are saying in crowded settings, like classrooms.

Hearing loss in children is especially worrisome because kids frequently don’t recognize they have a hearing problem. If the issue isn’t dealt with, there is a danger the hearing loss could worsen when they become adults.

What is The Connection?

Obesity is related to several health issues and researchers believe that its connection with hearing loss and tinnitus lies with these health issues. Poor circulation, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all linked to hearing loss and are frequently the result of obesity.

The inner ear’s workings are very sensitive – composed of a series of small capillaries, nerve cells, and other fragile parts that have to remain healthy to work effectively and in unison. It’s essential to have strong blood flow. This process can be hindered when obesity causes constricting of the blood vessels and high blood pressure.

The cochlea is a part of the inner ear which receives sound vibrations and delivers them to the brain for interpretation. The cochlea can be harmed if it doesn’t receive adequate blood flow. Injury to the cochlea and the adjoining nerve cells can rarely be undone.

What Should You do?

Women in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital study who exercised the most had a 17 percent lower chance of experiencing hearing loss compared to those who exercised least. Decreasing your risk, however, doesn’t mean you need to be a marathon runner. Walking for a couple of hours each week resulted in a 15% decreased chance of hearing loss than walking for under an hour.

Your entire family will benefit from a better diet, as your diet can positively affect your hearing beyond the advantages gained from weight loss. If you have a child or grandchild in your family who is obese, talk about steps your family can take to promote a healthier lifestyle. You can incorporate this routine into family get-togethers where you all will do exercises that are fun for kids. They might like the exercises so much they will do them on their own!

Consult a hearing professional to determine if any hearing loss you may be experiencing is associated with your weight. Weight loss stimulates better hearing and help is available. This individual can conduct a hearing test to verify your suspicions and advise you on the measures necessary to deal with your hearing loss symptoms. If necessary, your primary care physician will recommend a diet and exercise program that best suit your personal needs.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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