Stress can impact so many aspects of health, and hearing is no exception. Studies show that when the human body experiences stress, circulation becomes restricted. Here’s how this restriction impacts hearing loss. As circulation is limited, the tiny hair cells within your inner ear struggle to carry out their role of converting soundwaves into electrical impulses. The next stop for these electrical impulses is the auditory nerve in the brain, where it can be then interpreted as sound.
When stress compounds it creates a range of problems as a result of interrupted blood circulation throughout the body such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, anxiety and more – including hearing loss.
Understanding & Avoiding Stress-related Hearing Loss
Hypertension, Healing Loss and Stress
Hypertension aka high blood pressure is a common ailment that is often caused by stress. This high pressure in the vascular system can lead to inner ear hemorrhaging. Unfortunately, this can lead to progressive or sudden hearing loss.
A recent study showed a link between hypertension and hearing loss. The study, that included 274 patients between the ages of 45-64, found that as blood pressure was inversely related to hearing loss. The study also showed that as the blood pressure was brought back to normal ranges, hearing was possibly restored.
Tips for De-Stressing
The bad news is that stress can bring about all kinds of health problems, including hearing loss. As the study mentioned above concluded, high blood pressure, a common result of stress, can accelerate hearing loss. This can create a snowball effect as hearing loss can create a huge amount of stress and generally have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life, The good news is that stress can be managed in some (somewhat) easy ways that are natural and beneficial, such as:
- Breath work – Practicing mindful breath work is an easy and accessible way to reduce stress by increasing oxygen, which can quickly reduce blood pressure, slows the heart rate and releases tension.
- Meditation – Meditation can bring about relaxation and quiet a stressful mind, alleviating stress and tension.
- Regular Exercise – Consistent exercise at any level (from walking to running to weight lifting) creates endorphins that enhance moods and reduce stress.
- Appropriate Sleep – Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis will help to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Therapy – When life’s stressors get to the point that they are impacting our health, it might be a good time to talk to a professional. Airing out our problems with an objective professional can help us get things off our chest and learn tools to cope.
- CBD – CBD is a natural way to calm down when stress is getting out of control. CBD has been shown to help those suffering with anxiety, insomnia and stress.
Come Hear the Difference! Contact Us Today!
Madison & Saratoga Hearing Centers have been serving the capitol and upstate New York area for over three decades. Schedule an appointment at Madison & Saratoga, where you can expect to be treated as if you are like family. We take the time to listen and truly understand your concerns and needs. We’re looking forward to meeting you.