Study Links Hearing Loss to Increased Risk of Heart Failure

New research finds that poor hearing, even with hearing aids, is associated with up to a 28% higher risk of heart failure, highlighting potential biological and psychosocial mechanisms.

• An observational study using UK Biobank data tracked over 160,000 participants for 11.5 years, finding that nearly 3% developed heart failure.
• Individuals with insufficient and poor hearing were found to have a 15% and 28% higher risk of heart failure, respectively, compared to those with normal hearing.
• The study suggests that the inner ear's high metabolic demands and capillary network may make it particularly vulnerable to vascular disorders that also affect the heart.
• Psychosocial factors, including social isolation and psychological distress from hearing loss, may contribute to increased cardiovascular stress and heart failure risk.
• Hearing aids improve auditory function but do not mitigate the elevated heart failure risk, indicating unresolved underlying vascular issues.

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