An illustration of a woman smiling while wearing hearing aids

Stave Off Dementia? Groundbreaking News About Hearing Aids

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Study: This Step Could Cut Cognitive Decline Risk in Half

Figuring out a crossword puzzle. Remembering to pick up the grandkids. Learning a new language. Excelling at a high-stakes workplace project. The ability to think, remember, and process information plays a huge role in your life, but hearing loss could get in the way. In fact, untreated hearing issues can go hand in hand with brain decline and significantly elevate the risk of dementia.

The good news? An exciting study published in summer of 2023 in prominent health journal The Lancet found that the use of hearing aids and audiologic counseling could cut the risk of cognitive decline by nearly 50%. Research has long highlighted connections between hearing and brain functioning. Discover what this latest development from the ACHIEVE study is all about and what it could mean for your hearing and brain health.

 

Answering a Critical Question

The ACHIEVE study, an extensive investigation conducted over three years, sought to learn “whether treating hearing loss could reduce cognitive decline or the risk of dementia.” Growing evidence already pointed to hearing loss being a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia, and past research already linked hearing aid use to an 18% lower risk of a dementia diagnosis among older adults. The present investigation, however, marked the first randomized controlled trial on the potential effect of hearing loss treatment on cognitive decline and dementia.

With 977 participating men and women ages 70 to 84 with untreated hearing loss and normal cognition or mental processes, the study divided the respondents between a control group that learned about topics including healthy aging and an intervention group that received hearing technology as well as audiologic counseling. Both groups were monitored over a three-year period, with follow-up assessments every six months — culminating in a comprehensive neurocognitive test. Researchers reviewed outcomes related to cognitive decline, brain structure, mental health and well-being, physical functioning, and health-care use.

Among other findings, the study concluded that the combined intervention of hearing aids and audiologic counseling delayed the deterioration of thinking and memory by 48% in those at greater risk of cognitive decline. Healthy participants already at decreased risk for cognitive decline did not see an effect from the hearing intervention. According to the study, however, that could simply mean they needed more than the allotted observation period.

To fully appreciate why this research is so exciting, it’s important to understand a fundamental concept underlying the investigation: cognitive decline.

 

Understanding Cognitive Decline

Though sometimes mentioned interchangeably with “dementia,” cognitive decline is separately defined. In basic terms, it’s a diminished ability to think, focus, reason, remember, problem-solve, or handle other tasks involving brain functioning. Cognitive decline goes beyond typical changes that can occur with aging. For example, it’s more than just taking a little longer to absorb or react to a story or instructions. Instead, it’s a more involved state that can range from mild cognitive impairment to a more serious disorder that can interfere with everyday living.

Dementia is a subset of cognitive decline — diagnosed when cognition reaches a certain level of dysfunction. It affects over 55 million people, is a leading cause of death, and is responsible for at least $1.3 trillion in economic costs on a global scale, reports the World Health Organization (WHO). Often confused with Alzheimer’s disease, “dementia” is actually an umbrella term for severe decline that includes conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Per WHO, Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent type of dementia, responsible for as many as 70% of cases.

Catching cognitive problems early — especially if there’s a reversible or treatable underlying cause or modifiable risk factor — may head off or delay potential issues such as dementia.

 

Connecting Hearing Loss and Dementia Risk

Hearing can naturally decline with aging. This can lead to potential communication challenges, as many people with hearing difficulties often delay having the issue diagnosed and treated. Even among those who do seek treatment, their hearing technology can end up at home, unused. Left unaddressed, hearing loss can go hand in hand with social, mental, and physical health challenges, including cognitive decline and dementia.

Various theories abound on exactly why hearing loss and cognitive decline are linked or how hearing aids may help stave off dementia, but the science isn’t yet conclusive. The ACHIEVE team pointed to three ways hearing loss might lead to dementia:

 

Brain shrinkage

Hearing loss may affect the brain’s integrity, resulting in accelerated brain atrophy that can deleteriously affect functioning. This concept has been explored before. Renowned otolaryngology expert and ACHIEVE co-principal investigator Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., helped lead a 2014-published study tying hearing loss to faster-than-normal brain shrinkage among older adults.

 

Brain drain

Wear and tear on the cochlea may cause the inner ear to send signals to the brain that aren’t clear. Consequently, the brain has to put more effort into understanding sounds correctly, reallocating resources from other tasks. Overall this may reduce brainpower, reinforcing what many may not realize: Both the ears and brain work together to facilitate hearing.

 

Social isolation

Those with hearing loss can be less likely to engage in social gatherings and activities that stimulate cognition. This lack of social interaction is associated with a higher risk of dementia. A 5,022-participant study published in January 2023, for example, found a 27% higher chance of dementia in older adults experiencing social isolation. Regular interaction may be a key component to quality of life.

 

Prioritizing Your Hearing Health

The ACHIEVE team’s work makes one thing clear: Addressing your hearing health is crucial. When was the last time you had your hearing checked? If you have hearing aids, do you wear them often? If you aren’t sure about your hearing, it’s more important than ever to have it tested by a hearing care professional. Even minor cases of hearing loss can benefit from using hearing aids, and we know they may play a crucial role in helping preserve brain health, in addition to simply helping you experience all the sounds.

If you haven’t checked out the latest innovations in hearing aids, they may surprise you. Cutting-edge options not only offer crisp, natural-sounding audio but complement today’s high-tech living. With various features like Bluetooth connectivity, invisibility, noise reduction, language translation, remote care, easy streaming of calls, venue-specific settings, and even emergency fall detection, these advanced devices go above and beyond what you’d ever expect. And it’s easy to explore them firsthand with a fun, personalized demo.

Preventing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline requires a comprehensive approach. Taking care of your hearing health is part of the equation. Safeguarding brain function also includes getting regular physicals, staying active, and choosing nutritious foods. If you also try to get enough sleep and engage in continuous learning, you’ll help keep your brain sharp with the best of ‘em. Adhering to these potentially preventive measures is even more important for folks with underlying comorbidities or risk factors for cognitive decline.

With so many benefits in store, what are you waiting for? Scheduling regular hearing checkups — just as you would for your eyes and teeth — goes a long way toward helping protect your overall health. Book your hearing evaluation with our caring team today!

An illustration of a business woman wrangling a meter measuring her attitude with a rope

5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Mood This Winter

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Hearing Health and Mental Health Have a Clear Connection

In fact, untreated hearing loss increases your risk of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and more. Winter is also a prime time for seasonal blahs. If you could use a little mental-health boost, here are some simple ways to get started.

 

Express Gratitude

Gratitude improves happiness, well-being, and mental health. The best-researched method is keeping a gratitude journal. Once or twice a week, choose one act or person you’re grateful for and write a few sentences detailing why. In daily life, you’ll begin to seek out the positive — rather than the negative — and writing it down allows you to really savor that positive emotion.

 

Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins, which relieve stress and boost your mood. You can even use small things that add more activity to your day, like skipping the elevator in favor of the stairs or taking a short, brisk walk. If you work from home, tackle chores that require you to walk to another room or — better yet — another floor. Aim for 30 minutes a day.

 

Spoil Your Senses

Use your senses to quickly find calm. For some people, it’s an uplifting song or the smell of ground coffee. For others, it’s squeezing a stress ball. Each person’s relationship to their senses is a little different, so experiment to figure out what works best to bring you back to center.

 

Lose Yourself

Doing something you love, something you know you can lose yourself in, allows you to forget about life for a while. You don’t have to be a parent, a spouse, or an employee — you can just be.

 

Find a Furry Friend

Interacting with a pet lowers cortisol — the stress hormone — and raises oxytocin — the feel-good hormone. It also lowers blood pressure and eases loneliness and depression. Don’t have a pet? Walk a friend’s dog, volunteer to cat-sit for a vacationing neighbor, or volunteer at a shelter.

Contact us to learn more about the hearing health-mental health connection!

Sources:

Harvard Health Publishing. Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier Accessed July 14, 2023.

American Psychological Association. Exercise: A Healthy Stress Reliever. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/exercise. Accessed July 14, 2023.

Niazi, Y, et al. Impact of Hearing Impairment on Psychological Distress and Subjective Well-Being in Older Adults. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2020 Sep-Oct; 36(6): 1210–1215.

Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Friend Who Keeps You Young. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young. Accessed July 14, 2023.

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New Study: Hearing Aids Help in Fight Against Dementia

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Recent Investigation Reinforces Importance of Improved Hearing for Brain Support

Often we talk about ties between hearing and brain health. With both the ears and the brain playing such active roles in sound perception and human connection, it’s no wonder that problems with one of those critical functions could potentially affect the other. This includes the risk of dementia, which can rise significantly with hearing loss.

That’s why we’re excited to talk about new research further showing the potential power of hearing aids in fighting dementia. Using hearing technology may help reduce the odds of developing this debilitating disease by nearly 50%, per a study published over the summer in U.K. medical journal The Lancet. We’re going to break it down, but first let’s dive a little into the brain’s role in hearing.

 

How Do Ears and the Brain Work Together?

You may have come across the saying, “You hear with your brain — not your ears.” Your ears actually do have a co-starring part in hearing, but often people don’t realize just how prominently the brain figures into the equation. Like your cardiovascular and circulatory systems that collaborate to move blood throughout the body, ears and the brain also work together toward a common goal.

It’s a pretty fascinating process. The ears receive sounds before transforming them into electrical signals that are then sent to the brain for processing. The brain, recognizing and interpreting the sounds, uses the ears to help orient body position, focus the listener’s attention on desired sounds, and separate relevant information from competing noise.

With hearing loss, however, the ear has less ability to sense sound and transmit those signals through the auditory nerve and on to the brain for processing. In turn, straining to hear can tax the brain, which may have to work harder to process sound. That may reduce the brain’s capacity for other crucial functions, such as thinking, concentrating, and remembering.

 

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder typically leading to reduced cognitive functioning, such as the capacity to reason, recall information, and even communicate. The condition, which affects over 55 million people on a global scale and sees close to 10 million incidences annually, is often associated with aging but isn’t necessarily an inevitable part of growing older.

Sometimes people may confuse dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Though related, they’re not synonymous. “Dementia” is an umbrella term for severe cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, characterized by progressive brain changes leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and shifts in behavior.

Dementia takes not only a significant cognitive, physical, and mental toll but also an economic one. Public-health researchers estimate annual global costs of 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars as of 2019, with about half associated with informal caregiving by loved ones. The disorder ranks as the seventh leading cause of death and significantly contributes to the prevalence of disability and dependence among seniors.

 

What’s the Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia?

In a previous post, we discussed some of the ties investigators have shown between hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults. The connections are pretty alarming, with data showing evidence of accelerated brain shrinkage in the presence of hearing loss. Research has also shown other risks such as up to five times’ greater odds of dementia and earlier onset of cognitive decline.

Earlier this year, a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health-led study further illustrated the heightened risk that hearing loss can pose regarding dementia. They announced findings that older adults with more severe forms of hearing loss have a significantly higher risk of dementia. The investigation uncovered a 61% greater prevalence of dementia over those with normal hearing.

The study was encouraging in reinforcing the difference hearing aid technology can make. Like an increasing number of studies, the findings showed potential benefits of better hearing in keeping the threat of dementia at bay. According to the investigators, hearing aid use was associated with a 32% lower prevalence of dementia among those with moderate or severe hearing loss.

 

What Does the New Study Say About Hearing Aids & Dementia?

The great news about hearing aids’ potential role in staving off cognitive decline continues! One of the latest developments is that hearing intervention for older adults may stall the loss of thinking and memory capabilities by nearly 50%. It’s a pretty significant finding in the battle against cognitive decline and dementia, which continues to increase as the global population ages.

The study, “Hearing Intervention Versus Health Education Control To Reduce Cognitive Decline In Older Adults With Hearing Loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): A Multicentre, Randomised Controlled Trial,” was published over the summer, offering a whole new window into the importance of hearing aids in helping preserve brain health.

It not only served as the largest-ever randomized, controlled clinical trial of its kind — with close to 1,000 people ages 70 to 84 — but focused on the crucial question “Can treating hearing loss reduce cognitive decline over three years in older adults with hearing loss and without substantial cognitive impairment?”

Researchers in the publicly funded study found that:

 

  • The combined interventionof hearing aids and audiologic counseling delayed deterioration of thinking and memory by 48% in seniors at greater risk of cognitive decline.
  • When analyzing both participant groupstogether — the hearing intervention recipients and the health education control — neither approach was superior during the three-year investigation.
  • The most significant changeoccurred among the group that was older and had more cognition and dementia risk factors, potentially indicating that people in this category may stand to gain the most in a three-year period.
  • The healthy volunteer group at decreased risk of cognitive decline did not see an effect from the hearing intervention, but that could simply mean that they needed a longer observation time.

Several theories and possibilities about the “why” abound, but the study wasn’t quite conclusive on exactly how the hearing interventions potentially slow or reduce cognitive decline in older populations. Hearing intervention, however, was noted by the study’s authors as underused, virtually free of medical risk, and proven to curb cognitive decline.

 

7 Tips to Fighting Dementia

No single route to preventing dementia exists yet, but researchers are always working to uncover its many mysteries. In the meantime, you can take steps to help reduce your risk now. Take action such as:

  1. Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, swimming, wheelchair yoga, seated leg raises, or dancing, which can help promote better blood flow to the brain, reduce inflammation, and support overall brain health.
  2. Sticking to healthful eating, which can include a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and lean proteins — a combination that can contribute to brain health — while limiting processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary drinks.
  3. Keeping mentally active by challenging your brain with activities such as learning about unfamiliar subjects, enjoying crosswords, diving into a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle, adopting a new skill, taking on challenging projects, or engaging in hobbies that stimulate cognitive functioning.
  4. Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, depression, and hearing loss — some of the most common health issues affecting people around the world — which can increase the risk of dementia when left unaddressed.
  5. Enjoying quality sleep, which starts with prioritizing sufficient and restorative slumber as an important part of everyday living. Regularly ensuring a good night’s rest plays a crucial role in supporting brain health and cognitive functioning.
  6. Avoiding smoking and excess alcohol consumption. These habits, both of which are also associated with other serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers, have been linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
  7. Maintaining an active social life and meaningful relationships — whether gathering with family for weekly game nights, hitting the museum and other fun places with friends, or volunteering with others on causes you value — is associated with lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

As you can see, taking care of your hearing also helps take care of your brain. Together, we can help turn the tide of dementia risk by helping support one of your most important senses. So don’t wait. If it’s been a while since your last hearing checkup or listening seems more difficult than it used to be, contact us to book a hearing evaluation today!

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No Bones About It: Osteoporosis May Nearly Double Risk of Sudden Hearing Loss

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Your Bone Health Is Strongly Linked to Your Hearing Health

Hearing loss goes hand in hand with many chronic health issues.

Heart health, dementia, and depression get all the press. But osteoporosis has long been known to affect hearing health.

One long-term study from 2015 linked osteoporosis to a nearly doubled risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

And a more recent study concluded that osteoporosis contributes significantly to aging-related hearing loss.

So what exactly is this potentially debilitating disease that affects about 18% of people worldwide, how might it affect hearing, and what can you do about it?

Let’s dive in.

 

What Is Osteoporosis?

Your bones constantly renew themselves. As old bone breaks down, new bone is made. Young people’s bodies replenish bone faster than old bone breaks down.

Most people reach peak bone mass around the age of 30. Then, you start to lose bone mass more quickly than you can replace it.

With osteoporosis, you lose too much bone mass. The structure and strength of your bone tissue changes and can lead to bone fractures.

In other words:

Osteoporosis thins and weakens your bones, making you more likely to break one — especially in your spine, hip, or wrist.

 

Symptoms of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a “silent disease” — there are no symptoms until a bone is broken.

Affected bones become so fragile that a minor fall from a standing position or normal stress from bending or lifting could lead to a broken bone.

 

Can I get osteoporosis?

Women and men of all ages and backgrounds worldwide can develop osteoporosis, but the risk for developing it increases with age.

Some other factors include:

  • Osteoporosis is more common in women than men
  • Among men and women, it’s most common in non-Hispanic white people
  • Some cancer medications and glucocorticoid steroids increase risk
  • Low levels of estrogen in premenopausal women
  • Lower levels of testosterone in men than would normally happen with aging
  • Medical conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis

But preventive measures can help keep bones healthy, strong, and more resistant to becoming fragile, weak, and brittle:

  • Avoid tobacco use and excess drinking
  • Adopt a regular exercise regimen approved by your doctor
  • Maintain a healthy body weight, steering clear of too few or too many calories
  • Eat healthfully, being sure to include protein, calcium, and vitamin D in your diet

 

Does Osteoporosis Cause Sudden Hearing Loss?

Whether osteoporosis causes hearing loss is a tricky thing to determine.

 

Coincidence or correlation?

Suppose your cat jumps on your lap every morning. Also, your neighbor goes on a walk every morning. They’re clearly related occurrences, right?

Of course not. It’s a clear coincidence. One has nothing to do with the other.

But suppose you notice many dogs at the park on days when many people at the park have sodas in their hands. The dogs and sodas must be related, right?

Does it mean that dog lovers drink more soda? Or that dogs lead to soda sales?

In all likelihood, the number of dogs and sodas both go up because of a third factor — the number of people. The more people there are at the park, the more likely it is that there will be more dogs and more sodas.

In other words, in this example, dogs and sodas are correlated — they’re somehow linked — but in this case, high dog numbers don’t cause soda sales to jump, or vice versa. It’s the number of people that causes both numbers to jump.

 

Correlation confirmation

For a long time, that’s where scientists have been with osteoporosis and hearing health. They haven’t been ready to say that osteoporosis actually causes hearing loss, but studies have long reported a relationship — a correlation — between the two.

See the 2015 study mentioned at the beginning of this article. Researchers in Taiwan sought to quantify the risk of sudden hearing loss in patients with osteoporosis.

They studied a random representative sample of 1 million participants in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program. Those with osteoporosis had a 1.76-fold higher risk of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss than those without osteoporosis.

 

What about causation?

That brings us to the other, more recent study mentioned at the beginning of this article.

This study followed almost 144,000 women for decades — lots of participants at many ages and stages for a long time, meaning the data collected paints a powerful picture of what’s going on.

They found that “osteoporosis may be an important contributor to age-related hearing loss” and that bisphosphonates — medications that treat osteoporosis — don’t influence development of hearing loss.

Causation is hard to determine with 100% accuracy. The human body’s many systems interact in so many ways that it’s often impossible to claim causation. But this study moves us a lot closer to the goal post.

 

How are osteoporosis and hearing loss connected?

Right now, there are only hypotheses, with some more accepted widely than others.

One strong possibility involves the bones in your ear. You have tiny bones in your middle ear that are crucial for hearing. If osteoporosis makes them thin and weak, your hearing could be affected.

There are also bones in your inner ear that protect the nerves and hearing cells in your cochlea. If osteoporosis makes the bones weak, these structures could suffer damage, leading to hearing loss.

Another suggested possibility is that your temporal bone, which houses your middle and inner ear, becomes thinner, making those parts of your ear more susceptible to damage.

 

What Can You Do?

Take good care of your bones — and your ears. A causal relationship between osteoporosis and hearing loss might not be 100% conclusive, but one thing is clear: If you or a loved one has osteoporosis or is experiencing listening difficulties, it’s important to get a hearing check.

So don’t wait. Stay atop your hearing health and help catch any potential changes or problems early. Contact us to schedule a hearing evaluation today. Our caring team is here to help with all your listening needs!

 

Quick Facts About Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

  • Relatively common and typically referred to as “sudden deafness” or “SSHL”
  • Involves rapid hearing loss in an instant or over several days
  • Usually develops in one ear rather than both
  • May occur together with dizziness or ringing in the ears
  • Requires immediate help for greatest effectiveness of treatment
  • Common treatment includes steroid therapy, but some cases resolve on their own
  • Often has unknown causes, but common culprits include head injury, ototoxic drugs, infectious disease, circulation problems, thyroid disorders, and other selected conditions
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Tips to Help You Live Longer With Hearing Loss

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It’s Not Just About Hearing

Hearing loss can affect not only your well-being but your overall quality of life as well. If you have hearing loss, read on for ways to be the happiest, healthiest you.

Hearing Loss and Falls Are Linked

Research backs up the connection between hearing loss and falls. In one study, those with at least a mild hearing loss fell more often than those with healthy hearing. In fact, the odds of a fall increased as hearing loss worsened — falls were 1.4 times more likely for each 10-decibel increase in hearing loss.

One possible cause is that hearing loss robs your brain of resources. As more brainpower becomes devoted to hearing, less is available for postural control, which increases the risk of falling.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA):

  • Falling is the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
  • Falls threaten safety and independence, and they generate enormous economic and personal costs.
  • Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations.

Hearing Technology Can Help

In a study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, participants with hearing loss had better balance when using hearing aids than when they didn’t. Senior author Timothy E. Hullar explained they seemed to use “the sound information coming through their hearing aids as auditory reference points or landmarks to help maintain balance.”

Lifestyle and Hearing Are Linked

A study done by Age and Ageing looked at hearing loss alongside disability and mortality in older men. The study found that, compared with those with no hearing loss, those with hearing loss have a greater risk of mobility problems and difficulties when performing daily activities. It also found that men with hearing loss have a greater risk of dying of any cause.

In a different study, it was reported that hearing loss is 5.5 times more prevalent in men than in women. In particular, those with high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as smokers of more than 20 years, are more likely to have a hearing loss.

Hearing Technology Can Help

A study done by the National Council on Aging found that people who used hearing aids reported an increased sense of independence and safety, as well as improvements in depression, anxiety, and social isolation compared with the time before they treated their hearing loss.

Nutrition Affects Your Hearing

Nutrients are a great first-line defense against hearing loss, especially folate and omega-3 fatty acids.

Folate, a B vitamin, helps prevent age-related hearing loss. It does this by regulating the amount of homocysteine (an amino acid) in your system. A lack of homocysteine reduces blood flow to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. Good sources of folate include broccoli, leafy green vegetables, pulses, and liver.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a building block of your cell membranes. They fight inflammation, too. These are two properties that make omega-3 fatty acids ideal protectors of hearing health, and research backs this up. It’s well established that omega-3 fatty acids do, indeed, prevent age-related hearing loss. Good sources of this nutrient are fish, nuts, seeds, plant oils, and fortified foods.

Hearing Technology Can Help

If you do have age-related hearing loss, it’s easy to miss out on children laughing in another room, birds chirping, or your sweetheart’s whispered “I love you.” It’s these little moments that make life so rich. But hearing technology is now so advanced that you can adjust your settings to your surroundings.

Don’t miss another moment — contact us today!

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National Heart Month: Are Your Ears & Cardio Health Connected?

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Take a Closer Look With These 5 Facts

What do hearing and your heart have in common? They both help you experience the world in your own unique way. And with National Heart Month celebrated in February, it’s a great time to talk about the importance of taking care of cardiovascular and ear health. They’re even more connected than you might think!

Check out these five facts:

1. Global Issue

Like hearing loss, which affects more than 1.5 billion children and adults, per the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease — including heart disease and stroke — is a global challenge affecting people of all walks of life. It’s the No. 1 killer worldwide, with nearly 18 million deaths annually, according to public-health estimates.

2. Higher Risk

A study reviewing national health surveys found that the majority of older adult respondents who had heart failure were also experiencing hearing loss, per a Harvard news report on the investigation. A separate study discovered that a history of heart attack could mean at least a two-fold chance of hearing loss for women.

3. Increased Mortality

Hearing loss alone is linked to a respective 13% and 28% increase in the odds of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. When hearing loss is paired with vision loss, the increase jumps to 40% and 80%, respectively. The reasons aren’t fully known, but ties between hearing loss and other conditions that contribute to physical frailty — cognitive decline, for example — are suspected factors.

4. Mitigating Factor

Both hypertension — a major contributor to development of heart disease — and hearing loss may play a significant role in curbing dementia globally. The UK-based Lancet Commission identified hypertension and hearing loss among 12 potentially modifiable risk factors that, when addressed, could prevent or delay 40% of dementia cases worldwide.

5. Blood Flow

Exactly how heart issues and hearing loss are connected isn’t yet conclusive in all cases. Cardiovascular disease, however, can cause decreased hearing sensitivity by actually restricting blood flow to the structures of the inner ear. These structures require blood flow for nourishment.

As you can see, taking care of both your heart and your hearing supports overall health in more ways than one. Some risk factors such as age and family history can’t be helped, but healthy choices such as avoiding tobacco, choosing a nutritious diet, taking up physical activities, and scheduling regular health checkups can make a difference in helping prevent either condition.

If you have or suspect heart-health issues, see your cardiologist and make sure professional hearing help is also part of your wellness plan. Our knowledgeable team can evaluate any hearing problems and provide solutions that help keep you healthy and connected to what you love. Contact us today!

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Erectile Dysfunction and Hearing Loss

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Quality of life is something that’s on everyone’s minds these days. How to live better, feel better, and make the most of the relationships and activities we enjoy. It’s no secret that health concerns can present challenges that affect our quality of life, and hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are two of them. These conditions are relatively easy to treat, but few people realize they’re linked.

What the research says

A study conducted by the Department of Otolaryngology at Taipei Medical University Hospital found that men who experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) were about twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as their peers with normal hearing. This held true across different age groups. No conclusions have been drawn about the reason behind the correlation, but researchers strongly suspect it may be of a vascular nature, as subjects with hypertension and chronic renal disease were found to be at an even greater risk of ED. Hearing loss is also known to be exacerbated by vascular diseases.

SSHL is defined as a partial or total hearing loss that occurs rapidly over the course of hours or days. This is considered a medical emergency and should be investigated by a doctor right away. Only a small percentage of diagnosed cases of SSHL have an identifiable cause, but the most common triggers include:

  • Infectious diseases
  • Trauma, such as a head injury
  • Autoimmune diseases, such as Cogan’s syndrome
  • Ototoxic drugs (drugs that harm the sensory cells in the inner ear)
  • Blood circulation problems
  • A tumor on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain
  • Neurologic diseases and disorders, such as multiple sclerosis
  • Disorders of the inner ear, such as Ménière’s disease

Men living with a hearing loss that occurred suddenly should be aware that they have an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

The effects of ED medication on hearing

Unfortunately, the connection between sudden hearing loss and erectile dysfunction also goes in the other direction. Sometimes ED precedes SSHL, and it’s the medications used to treat the former that lead to the latter.

In the United States, the FDA relabeled phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor erectile-dysfunction drugs after finding over 30 reports of sudden hearing loss in male patients taking Viagra. Since then, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered that men over 40 taking PDE5 drugs (which include Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra) have double the risk of developing hearing loss compared to men who do not.

The FDA reports that some incidents of sudden hearing loss also included vestibular problems such as tinnitus, vertigo, or dizziness, and that the hearing loss was temporary in about a third of cases. There is some evidence that cessation of ototoxic medications can reverse the hearing damage they cause, but patients are advised to consult their doctor before stopping a medication. Click here for more information about ototoxicity and what to do if you experience it.

If you or someone you love is currently being treated for erectile dysfunction, be on the lookout for hearing issues and contact an audiologist or ENT for an evaluation!

Sources

Hsu, Hsin-Te, et al. Increased Risk of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Otology & Neurotology. https://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2013&issue=07000&article=00014&type.  Accessed November 2, 2022.

McGwin, Gerald Jr. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use and hearing impairment. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20479381/. Accessed November 4, 2022.

Medical News Today. FDA Reports Hearing Loss Linked To Viagra And Other PDE5 Inhibitors. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86215. Accessed November 8, 2022.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Sudden Deafness. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/sudden-deafness. Accessed November 8, 2022.

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Q&A: Is My Dizziness Normal?

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Q: Why am I dizzy?

A: We receive this question often. Dizziness is a very common symptom that can spontaneously occur and resolve without any underlying conditions. When there is an underlying condition, it can be as simple as hunger or as serious as a stroke. This is why looking up your symptoms online can lead to a heap of unnecessary anxiety! Luckily, there are some additional symptoms to watch for when determining what’s really going on. These are the most common causes of dizziness:

Vestibular Disorders

According to Johns Hopkins, 85% of dizziness and vertigo episodes are caused by physiological dysfunction within the inner ear. This typically occurs because there has been an unexpected shift in the fluid of the semicircular canals above the cochlea, making you feel off-balance or as if you’re in motion. One major clue that you’re dealing with a vestibular disorder is if your dizziness is accompanied by hearing loss or ringing in the ears. Fortunately, these disorders are highly treatable. Audiologists and ENTs can run a battery of tests to determine the exact cause of your dizziness and provide an effective treatment plan, so don’t hesitate to get it checked out.

Hypoglycemia

Whether you’re taking medications to lower your blood sugar or simply haven’t eaten for a while, a dip in glucose can make you feel surprisingly weak and lightheaded. Hypoglycemia is defined as any blood sugar reading under 70 mg/dl, but many people experience dizziness at levels above that, depending on how their bodies respond to hunger. If your dizziness resolves after having a snack, that’s a good indication that you were low on energy and needed a boost. Patients living with diabetes should pay special attention to their dizziness, as medication adjustments may be needed.

Hypotension

Similar to the previous item on this list, dizziness is one of the top symptoms of low blood pressure. This too can be caused by medication, though dehydration is the likelier culprit. When the body loses too many fluids, blood volume decreases, leading to hypotension. Many people also experience a drop in blood pressure after suddenly changing positions or spending long periods of time on their feet. This condition is known as orthostatic hypotension and is usually mild. Replenishing your fluids and resting in a comfortable position should help.

Anxiety

A keyed-up nervous system can cause pretty severe dizziness and disorientation. It’s even possible to experience fainting spells during an anxiety attack. This may happen because of a frightening event, post-traumatic stress, or an accidental triggering of the body’s fight-or-flight response. Rest assured that many, many people live with chronic anxiety. However, if you suspect your dizziness is the result of emotional distress, it’s important to rule out other causes first. Be sure to discuss testing and treatment options with your physician.

Q: When should I tell a doctor about my dizziness?

A: As soon as you feel it’s more than a passing annoyance. While dizziness is one of the most common patient complaints and is usually nothing to worry about, it can lead to falls. The older you are, the more dangerous falls become, so take dizziness seriously if it occurs often or disrupts your daily life. The bottom line is: You know your body better than anyone else. When in doubt, seeking a professional opinion is never a bad idea. Always get immediate medical attention if your dizziness is severe or accompanied by any of these signs of a stroke or heart attack:

  • Blurred vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Impaired mobility
  • Sudden confusion
  • Loss of consciousness

Did You Know?

• Dizziness is the third most common complaint (after headaches and lower back pain) in all age groups.
• Dizziness is the number-one complaint from people who are 70 and older.
• 85% of dizziness & vertigo is caused by inner-ear dysfunction.
• 25% of migraine sufferers report vertigo as a symptom.
• Most patients visit 4 to 5 physicians before a correct diagnosis is made.
• Falls are the leading cause of death for people who are 65 and older.

If you’re suffering from dizziness or think you may be experiencing a vestibular disorder, please don’t wait. Contact us today to get your questions answered or to schedule an exam. We’re HEAR to help!

illustration of a person in pain from loud noise

Ototoxicity and How to Avoid It

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While the two most common culprits of hearing loss are loud noise and age, certain chemicals and medications can also damage the inner ear. This is called “ototoxicity, which literally means “ear poison.” Ototoxicity can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.

Common ototoxicants

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are four main categories of ototoxicants:

  • Pharmaceuticals, such as loop diuretics, selected analgesics, some chemotherapy medications, and certain antibiotics
  • Solvents, such as toluene, ethylbenzene, and trichloroethylene
  • Asphyxiants, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and tobacco smoke
  • Nitriles, such as 3-butenenitrile, cis-2-pentenenitrile, and acrylonitrile
  • Metals and compounds, such as mercury compounds, germanium dioxide, and lead

Since most people don’t keep industrial-grade solvents and compounds in their homes, the ototoxicants you’re most likely to encounter are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.

Symptoms of ototoxicity can include nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vertigo. Prior to the development of hearing loss, tinnitus will usually appear first.

Can ototoxicity be treated?

Because the hair cells of the inner ear are so delicate and easy to damage, there’s no real treatment for ototoxicity. Prevention is always the best course of action. That said, hearing and balance can often recover once exposure to the ototoxicant has ended, though it may take months. In the event that hearing is permanently changed, hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation measures are extremely helpful. An audiologist or other hearing care professional can help you explore the options.

Can ototoxicity be avoided?

In the short term, yes.  By avoiding contact with ototoxic substances, you can keep your ears safe from their effects. In the longer view, the answer is “probably not.” With hundreds of known ototoxicants out there in the world, staying away from them all is very difficult, and since many are life-saving medications such as chemotherapy drugs, we wouldn’t recommend that you try. Risk must be weighed against benefit.

There is good news, however. With awareness of ototoxicity on the rise, many drug manufacturers are exploring ways to reduce this particular side effect and develop better treatments that don’t harm our hearing as much. Discussing concerns about ototoxicity with your doctor is always advisable, and, when it comes to occupational exposures, getting clarity on exactly what substances you’ll be working with and what your employer is doing to mitigate risk will arm you with the knowledge you need to stay safe.

Ototoxicity is a common hearing hazard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive about your hearing health. If you or a loved one is taking ototoxic medication or experiencing symptoms of ototoxicity, make an appointment for a hearing screening today.

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Living Longer With Hearing Loss

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It’s Not Just About Hearing

Hearing loss can affect not only your well-being but also your overall quality of life. If you have hearing loss, read on to for ways to be the happiest, healthiest you.

Hearing Loss and Falls Are Linked

Research backs up the connection between hearing loss and falls. In one study, those with at least a mild hearing loss fell more often than those with healthy hearing. In fact, the odds of a fall increased as hearing loss worsened — falls were 1.4 times more likely for each 10-decibel increase in hearing loss.

One possible cause is that hearing loss robs your brain of resources. As more brainpower becomes devoted to hearing, less is available for postural control, which increases the risk of falling.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA):

  • Falling is the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
  • Falls threaten safety and independence, and they generate enormous economic and personal costs.
  • Falls result in more than three million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 32,000 deaths.

Hearing Technology Can Help

In a study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, participants with hearing loss had better balance when using hearing aids than when they didn’t. Senior author Timothy E. Hullar explained they seemed to use “the sound information coming through their hearing aids as auditory reference points or landmarks to help maintain balance.”

Lifestyle and Hearing Are Linked

A study done by Age and Ageing looked at hearing loss alongside disability and mortality in older men. The study found that, compared with those with no hearing loss, those with hearing loss have a greater risk of mobility problems and difficulties when performing daily activities. It also found that men with hearing loss have a greater risk of dying of any cause.

In a different study, it was reported that hearing loss is 5.5 times more prevalent in men than in women. In particular, those with high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as smokers of more than 20 years, are more likely to have a hearing loss.

Hearing Technology Can Help

A study done by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that people who used hearing aids reported an increased sense of independence and safety, as well as improvements in depression, anxiety, and social isolation compared with the time before they treated their hearing loss.

Nutrition Affects Your Hearing

Nutrients are a great first-line defense against hearing loss, especially folate and omega-3 fatty acids.

Folate, a B vitamin, helps prevent age-related hearing loss. It does this by regulating the amount of homocysteine (an amino acid) in your system. A lack of homocysteine reduces blood flow to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. Good sources of folate include broccoli, leafy green vegetables, pulses, and liver.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a building block of your cell membranes. They fight inflammation, too. These are two properties that make omega-3 fatty acids ideal protectors of hearing health, and research backs this up. It’s well established that omega-3 fatty acids do, indeed, prevent age-related hearing loss. Good sources of this nutrient are fish, nuts, seeds, plant oils, and fortified foods.

Hearing Technology Can Help

If you do have age-related hearing loss, it’s easy to miss out on children laughing in another room, birds chirping, or your sweetheart’s whispered “I love you.” It’s these little moments that make life so rich. But hearing technology is now so advanced that you can adjust your settings to your surroundings.

Don’t miss another moment — contact us today!

Ready to take the next step towards better hearing?
Contact us to book an appointment.

Call us today:

(289) 963-1512

Salus Hearing And Tinnitus Centre

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2200 Rutherford Rd #202, Concord, ON L4K 5V2