WOMEN’S HEALTH AND HEARING LOSS

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) says that treating hearing loss may help more than just a woman’s hearing. The research shows that when you treat hearing loss, people experience less chronic diseases and health conditions thus improving the overall quality of life.

“In the United States today, as many as one-third of women in their 50s have some degree of hearing loss, along with nearly two-thirds of women in their 60s.” Source. In a May 8th, 2015 article, the BHI developed a list of 6 things every woman should know about hearing health.

  • Women with hearing loss are more likely to be depressed. Research shows that hearing loss is associated with depression among U.S. adults, but particularly among women. http://ow.ly/vvZEz
  • The ear may be a window to the heart. Cardiovascular and hearing health are linked. Some experts say the inner ear is so sensitive to blood flow that it’s possible that abnormalities in the cardiovascular system could be noted here earlier than in other less sensitive parts of the body. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, according to the American Heart Association. http://ow.ly/vw3gH
  • If you have diabetes, you’re about twice as likely to have hearing loss. What’s more, having diabetes may cause women to experience a greater degree of hearing loss as they age, especially if the diabetes is not well controlled with medication. About 11 percent of women in the United States are affected by diabetes. http://ow.ly/vw7so; http://ow.ly/MCU4h
  • Many of the same lifestyle behaviors that affect the heart impact hearing. More evidence of the interconnectedness between cardiovascular and hearing health is found in three studies on modifiable behaviors: One found that a higher level of physical activity is associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women. Another revealed that smokers and passive smokers are more likely to suffer hearing loss. And a third found that regular fish consumption and higher intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women. http://ow.ly/BqrlJ; http://ow.ly/Bqsz0; http://ow.ly/MCUMe
  • Hearing loss in women is tied to common pain relievers. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are associated with an increased risk of hearing loss in women. The link is even stronger among those younger than 50. http://ow.ly/vwIWi; http://ow.ly/MCVNT
  • Addressing hearing loss may benefit cognitive function. Research shows a link between hearing loss and dementia, leading experts to believe that interventions, like hearing aids, could potentially delay or prevent dementia. Research is ongoing. http://ow.ly/vCFDW http://ow.ly/vCG54 http://ow.ly/MCWgf

To read the full article, you can view it on BetterHearing.org or by clicking here.