Age-related hearing loss is a common occurrence, resulting from the loss of sensory hair cells in the inner ear or the connections between these cells and the brain. Research is focused on generating new hair cells to reverse this loss, but integrating them into sensory processing circuits presents a challenge. Hearing loss is not only associated with aging but also with conditions like frailty, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive decline. Hypertension has been linked to hearing loss, likely due to vascular damage. Understanding the relationship between hypertension and hearing loss is crucial for developing effective treatments.
A recent study found that hypertensive individuals exhibited more severe subclinical organ damage and hearing impairment compared to nonhypertensive individuals. Factors such as albumin-to-creatinine ratio, left ventricular mass index, cardiovascular ankle index, and ankle-brachial index were elevated in the hypertensive group, along with a higher prevalence of hearing loss. These indicators suggest that hypertension may contribute to vascular damage, leading to hearing loss. Further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms linking hypertension to hearing loss.
