Speech and Hearing Clinic reminds hearing is connected to individual’s whole healthcare

Published: February 19, 2020

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The Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic wants to remind the Auburn Family that hearing is connected to an individual’s whole healthcare. Like vision checks, teeth cleanings, and of course physical checkups, the ears are just as important as part of a complete, healthy lifestyle. With hearing loss, hearing is not the only thing at stake. From the brain to the blood, consider these comorbidities directly connecting hearing health to an individual’s whole health.

Hearing and heart health: The heart is responsible for pumping blood and bringing oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. As cardiovascular disease clogs up arteries and makes it difficult for the heart to do so, as with other parts of the body—the ears can suffer by not getting the nourishment they need.

Aging and hearing loss: Troubles with thinking, remembering, reasoning—this is what is referred to as subjective cognitive decline, which has been associated through study after study in aging patients with signs of hearing loss. The more severe the hearing loss, the greater the risk.

Diabetes and hearing loss: Like cardiovascular disease, diabetes symptoms like high blood sugar can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including the small blood vessels in the ears. The same with nerve damage—this other diabetes symptom can damage auditory nerves and lead to hearing loss.

Balance and hearing: The vestibular system in the inner ear is responsible for detecting movement. If this delicate system gets compromised through trauma or disease, the brain may have a hard time keeping an individual’s equilibrium in check, leading to a lack of balance and an increase risk of falls.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Speech and Hearing Clinic at 334-844-9600.      

Submitted by: Kirby McCard