A recent study conducted by Chinese researchers revealed a disturbing link between hearing loss and an increased risk of heart failure.
The results concluded that psychological stress resulting from hearing problems plays a major role in this relationship. The study relied on analyzing data from 164,431 participants from the UK Biobank, who underwent accurate hearing tests measuring their ability to distinguish speech in noise.
During a follow-up period of more than 11 years, researchers observed that people with hearing loss—especially those who required louder volume to understand speech—were more likely to develop heart failure, ranging from 7% for mild hearing loss to 16% for severe hearing loss. Ironically, these findings remained consistent even after accounting for traditional factors affecting heart health.
The study highlighted the pivotal role of psychological factors in this equation, finding that the hearing-impaired often suffer from chronic psychological stress due to communication difficulties, leading to social isolation and increased levels of anxiety and stress. This distressed psychological state triggers a series of biological responses, such as elevated blood pressure and increased levels of stress-related hormones, which strain the heart in the long term and increase the likelihood of heart failure.
These findings raise important questions about the need to rethink healthcare programs, as they suggest that routine hearing screenings may be an important preventive tool for early detection of people at risk of heart disease.
It also highlights the need for comprehensive programs that address the psychological aspects of hearing-impaired people, not only to improve their quality of life, but also to protect their hearts from serious complications.
With hearing problems particularly prevalent among the elderly, this study serves as a reminder of the deep interconnectedness of the body's various organs, and that taking care of ear health may be a gateway to protecting the heart. This holistic view of health opens new avenues for preventing heart disease, which remains a leading cause of death worldwide.