Everyone is aware that obesity can affect the heart but very few know that obesity can cause hearing loss.
In today's world,1 in 3 adults and 1in 6 children are obese. If the body mass index (BMI) range between 25-29, the person is overweight and if the BMI is 30, the person is termed obese. If people knew that obesity can cause hearing loss, they would be more conscious of their weight gain.
Let us learn more fact about obesity and hearing loss?
Obesity as a cause of hearing loss
A research study published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2013 revealed the following results.
68,000 women were observed for 20 years. Of these, those who had a low BMI and exercised regularly were 17% lesser chance of acquiring hearing loss. On the other hand, those who had a higher BMI and were obese had 27% more chance of acquiring hearing loss.
How obesity causes hearing loss?
Obesity can cause hearing loss in many ways.
The human ear has 3 main parts- the outer, middle and inner ear. The inner ear has a number of tiny hair cell called "stereophilia" which pick up the sound waves and transmit them to the nerve ending by vibration. To detect the sound properly, these hair cells need a steady flow of oxygen and blood supply.
When the body gains weight, obesity makes the heart sluggish and makes it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. This, in turn, make it difficult for the arteries and capillaries to carry blood to these hair cells. When the blood supply is insufficient to the hair cells they get damaged and fail to function normally. Once these hair cells are damaged, it is not possible to revive or restore them and this causes permanent hearing loss. This is how obesity causes hearing loss directly.
Obesity and other causes of hearing loss
Obesity may also be one of the indirect causes of hearing loss. Obesity can cause other diseases which may indirectly affect the hearing.
Hearing loss in adolescents due to obesity
A 2012 study by Anil Lalwani, Karin Katz and other revealed that
" Hearing loss occurred in 15% of the adolescents in the control group who were obese and only 8% in the non-obese group."
This shows that children and adolescents too are more susceptible to hearing loss due to obesity and must exercise regularly or opt for hearing aid treatment if they face hearing problems.
Cochlear implants for hearing loss due to obesity
Normally hearing aids and cochlear implants are suggested to the patients with sensorineural hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the hearing loss caused by damage to the hair cell for the inner ear and this is often caused by obesity.
Cochlear implants have to be done professionally and it is best that you consult the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore to get successful results.
How to prevent hearing loss due to obesity?
The sense of hearing is very essential for humans to communicate and socialize with others and maintain a healthy connection with the outside world. Hearing also warns of impending danger and help us stay alert and active. Let us not lose our precious sense of hearing due to an outlandish reason like obesity. Head to the premium ENT hospital in Coimbatore for your periodic ENT check-ups and have a healthy hearing ability throughout your life.
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