Comorbidity is the simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions in one patient. While comorbidity doesn’t always mean one condition causes the other, addressing conditions that could increase your risk of health complications like hearing loss is still important.
Common Hearing Loss Comorbidities
A few conditions that may present with hearing loss include:
- Diabetes. Hearing loss is twice as common in patients with diabetes as it is in patients without (Centers for Disease Control, 2024). Diabetes affects hearing in two ways: high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the inner ear, and low blood sugar damages how sound travels from the inner ear to the brain.
- High blood pressure. One 2021 study found that high blood pressure was positively correlated with an increased likelihood of hearing loss. One likely explanation is that the increased pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply the inner ear, impairing circulation and reducing the ear’s ability to function well.
- Arthritis. One 2023 literature review found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can damage the auditory system, leading to inner ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Researchers believe damage arises from the arthritis or the medication used to treat it—a side effect known as ototoxicity.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) also listed high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnea, kidney disease, autoimmune diseases (like arthritis) and ototoxic medication use as potential risk factors for developing hearing loss. In some cases, risk factors, hearing loss and the possible side effects of hearing loss may arise simultaneously due to underlying shared causes like chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
How Do I Safeguard My Hearing?
The presence of a comorbid risk factor doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop hearing loss. That being said, it’s still important to focus on protecting your health. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis or any other listed risk factors, consult a local Springfield physician about the best way to manage them.
In addition to managing the underlying risk factor, you should schedule regular hearing tests to spot issues before they affect your life. Contact ENT Specialists Of Northern Virginia to schedule your comprehensive hearing test today.