World Heart Day
- avore14
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Did you know today, September 29th is World Heart Day?
World Heart day was established in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to "raise awareness and mobilize international action against cardiovascular disease".
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) can affect all aspects of your health, including your hearing health. A study published in the Laryngoscope found that individuals with heart disease were 54% more likely to have hearing loss. There's multiple symptoms of CVD that can lead to hearing loss.
1.Reduced Blood Flow to the Inner Ear
The cochlea (your hearing organ) is highly vascularized and depends on a steady, rich blood supply.
CVD (like atherosclerosis or heart failure) can reduce circulation, causing damage to the hair cells responsible for detecting sound.
These hair cells don’t regenerate—so once damaged, hearing loss is typically permanent.
2.Microvascular Damage
Just like the heart, ears can be affected by tiny vessel damage, especially in high-frequency hearing.
This is similar to how CVD impacts the eyes and kidneys
3.Oxygen Deprivation
Poor cardiovascular health can lower oxygen supply to the ear structures, which are very sensitive to oxygen levels.
This can speed up age-related hearing loss (presbycusis).
If you have concerns about your hearing health, please inform your Doctor of any issues with your hearing health or schedule with an Audiologist like us to prove you with the help and support you need.
References:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Heart disease and hearing loss. American Academy of Audiology. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/hearing-and-balance/heart-disease-and-hearing-loss/
ENT Today. (2010, October 1). Low-frequency hearing loss may indicate cardiovascular disease. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.enttoday.org/article/low-frequency-hearing-loss-may-indicate-cardiovascular-disease/
Audiologist.org. (2018). Cardiopulmonary effects on hearing [PDF]. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.audiologist.org/_resources/documents/conference/2018-audacity/presentations/Knightley-Cardiopulmonary.pdf
"About WHF." World Heart Federation, https://world-heart-federation.org/about-whf/. Retrieved 31 Mar. 2025.
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