Stress & Hearing Loss

April is #NationalStressAwarenessMonth, and did you know hearing loss has the potential to be a side effect of stress? This year, stress management seems particularly important. Finding healthy ways to deal with the challenges we face can go a long way in providing a healthy, positive life.

How does stress impact hearing loss? The inner ear's tiny sensory hairs depend on good circulation to translate the noise your outer ears collect into electrical impulses for the brain to interpret as sound. Therefore, anything restricting circulation—(heart disease, diabetes, and smoking)—could negatively impact one's hearing.

Not only can stress impact hearing loss, but it can also amplify tinnitus or ringing in the ears. Tinnitus can cause issues with one's hearing health and make it challenging to communicate with others, causing more stress.

So what can you do? Stress management is a great place to start! See the image for some ways to avoid stress in your life.

]Are you struggling to hear? Whether or not it's due to stress, the best next step is to schedule an appointment with your audiologist.

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