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Improve Full Health  
General fitness  

  • Hypertension 

  • Diabetes

  • Smoking, Vaping

  • Other conditions: Heat, radiation, vaccination, pregnancy

Normal blood pressure

 Below 120 mm HG

and

Below 80 mm HG

Elevated blood pressure

 120-129 mm HG

and

Below 80 mm HG

High blood pressure: Stage 1

 130-139 mm HG

and

80-89 mm HG

High blood pressure: Stage 2

 140 mm HG or higher

and

90 mm HG or higher

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

High blood pressure can cause damage to the inner ear and worsen hearing loss because of lower blood supply - to the ear and brain

Blood pressure measurement is made up of two numbers: systolic and diastolic

  • Normal blood pressure is less than 120 (systolic)/80 (diastolic) mm Hg

  • High blood pressure is 140 mm Hg or higher (systolic) or 90 mm Hg or higher (diastolic)

High blood pressure happens when arteries have narrowed because of cholesterol buildup

  • Makes heart and blood vessels work harder, increasing blood pressure

  • If not controlled, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, chronic kidney disease.

Symptoms

  • Hypertension is known as the silent killer because most people don't have symptoms

  • It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly

Who is at risk​

  • African Americans

  • People over age 55

  • People with a family history of high blood pressure

  • Are overweight

  • Eat foods high in salt

  • Do not get regular exercise

  • Smoke

  • Drink alcohol heavily

Bring hypertension under control

  • Take medications as described

  • Check your blood pressure regularly
  • Choose a heart-healthy lifestyle​

Normal A1C level 

Below 5.7%

Prediabetes A1C level

5.7% to 6.4%

Diabetes A1C level

6.5% and above

Diabetes

Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves of the inner ear and worsen hearing loss

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed in adults based on A1C measurements

  • A1C test measures average blood sugar levels over the past few months

  • For those with diabetes, 7% or less is ideal

  • Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, moves sugar out of blood and into cells for energy

  • With diabetes, the body doesn't make or use insulin well

Symptoms:

  • Increased thirst and urination

  • Increased hunger

  • Fatigue

  • Blurred vision

  • Sores that do not heal

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands

Who is at risk

  • Being overweight or obese

  • Being 45 years or older

  • Not being physically active

  • Having a family history of diabetes

  • Ever having gestational diabetes​

About 1 in 4 people living with diabetes don’t know they have it​

Manage your 'ABCs'

  • A: Get a regular A1C test to measure your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months; aim to stay in your target range as much as possible, take medicines as prescribed

  • B: Try to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg (or the target your doctor sets)

  • C: Manage your cholesterol levels

  • s: Stop smoking or don’t start

​Smoking, Vaping

The damaging effects of tobacco can worsen hearing loss

  • Nicotine in tobacco has harmful effect on heart, causes hypertension that harms hearing

  • Other harmful chemicals can damage middle and inner ear

  • Cigars, pipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, and snuff are not safe

  • Secondhand smoke is also harmful

Get support for quitting

  • Talk with your doctor about medical options

  • Read self-help information

  • Go to individual or group counseling

  • Download mobile apps or sign up for the text messaging services

  • Take medicine to help with symptoms of nicotine withdrawal

​Other conditions

​HEAT

Extreme heat can damage hearing and hearing aids

Effect on hearing: Dehydration can cause sounds to be muffled, increase tinnitus

Effect on hearing aids: Extreme heat, combined with dust, can damage hearing aids

Develop a Heat Action Plan

  • Stay cool: Stay in the shade, take breaks, wear light clothing

  • Stay hydrated: I cup water every 15-20 minutes

  • Check symptoms: Unusual heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, tiredness, weakness, nausea

  • Remove hearing aids

    • Too hot, dusty

    • Before you splash water on your face

    • Wipe your face and neck with wet cloths

    • Take a shower to cool down

IONIZING RADIATION

Used in medical exams can damage hearing and interfere with use of hearing aids

  • Radiation from medical exams like X-rays, CT or CAT (computed tomography) scans, PET (positron emission tomography) scans, Fluoroscopy, Nuclear medicine procedures

  • Degree of damage depends on dose of radiation

  • Discuss radiation options with your doctor to protect remaining hearing

  • Remove hearing aids before undergoing radiation procedures

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations help prevent serious diseases including some that can lead to hearing loss

  • Prevent hearing loss: Rubella, Meningitis, Mumps, Measles

  • Consult with your doctor on your vaccination needs

PREGNANCY

  • Mother's health can be harmed by loud noise that can damage hearing and cause stress

    • Wearing hearing protection helps

  • Developing fetus's hearing can be harmed as very loud noises sound can travel through a pregnant person's body

    • Fetus ears develop by about the 20th week of pregnancy

    • Fetus start responding to sounds around the 24th week

    • Wearing hearing protection does not protect fetus

  • Noise level as loud as a chainsaw can be harmful to a baby. Avoid these sound areas even with hearing protection​

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