What do hip fractures have to do with hearing loss? A lot, apparently. Recent studies show just another very important reason that hearing care is essential to your overall health.
Let’s take a look.
Osteoporosis & hearing loss
Multiple studies have shown a distinct link between osteoporosis and hearing loss — both gradual and sudden. One such study showed osteoporosis sufferers are 76% more likely to experience sudden hearing loss than the general public. This form of hearing loss can strike suddenly taking most or all of the hearing within days. Sometimes it’s temporary. For others, it’s permanent.
Just like you have bones in your hips, feet, and arms serving essential functions, tiny bones within your ears are responsible for transmitting sound through the canal.
As bones throughout the body feel the effects of osteoporosis, so do the bones in the ears. This can lead to tinnitus (ringing) and other hearing challenges. Low bone density not only increases the risk of falls; it also impacts hearing.
For many people, this can be a double whammy. Here’s why.
The inner ear & balance
Within this same bony structure lies the system responsible for helping you maintain your balance. As these bones degenerate, a person can struggle with balance as well. This lack of balance can cause a person to suddenly feel disoriented, leading to a fall that could cause a bone fracture.
Also, this lack balance can cause “awkward” and “unaligned” movements like turning your ankle in or walking with a hip higher than the other. That puts extra stress on joints, causing joint pain.
Fortunately, with early testing and prevention, you can avoid this outcome.
Hearing loss and balance testing
Getting a regular hearing test can help detect these issues early. As with many ailments, early detection is key to either reversing injuries or preventing further damage.
In addition to a traditional “raise your hand” hearing test, you may have an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test. This non-invasive test that looks at how your brain responds to sounds on a brainwave chart. The hearing specialist can analyze this to evaluate your condition.
You might also have a videonystagmography (VNG) test. This exam tracks eye movements while you watch something move around. At the same time, they stimulate the ear canals with air to help them detect abnormalities.
Preventing bone loss & hearing loss
Early detection is important, but the earlier you start improving your overall health, the better outcome you can expect.
If there are early signs of hearing loss, bone loss or the resulting tinnitus and imbalance, they may recommend hearing aids. In addition, they’ll encourage you to make some lifestyle changes to improve your health like:
- Getting more calcium & vitamin D (from food and sun when possible)
- Exercising regularly since bones throughout the body, strengthen from use.
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol to 2-3 drinks
- Eating a well-balanced diet with a wide range of whole foods to meet your nutritional requirements
Don’t wait to make healthy changes to protect your hearing, bones, and joints. See your hearing specialist. Get a hearing test, and, if you need one, a balance test, to understand the state of your health better.