When confronted with a difficult circumstance, your body releases chemicals into your blood that give you a burst of energy and power. While this is a normal body response that helps us get through terrible times, too much stress can be exceedingly harmful. Stress may deplete our energy reserves and fatigue our bodies. It is not only emotionally draining, but it can also lead to health hazards, weakening of your immune system and can cause headaches, migraines, high blood pressure, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety attacks, and other symptoms.
How Stress Affects Hearing
When the body responds to stress, it produces too much adrenaline, reducing blood flow to the ears and impairing hearing. The delicate hair cells in the inner ear depend on steady blood flow to get the right amount of oxygen and other nutrients. But chronic stress can disrupt blood circulation throughout the body, and in the absence of regular blood flow, hair cells can be destroyed. And in some cases, they get permanently destroyed. Anxiety to the point where hearing stops completely can quickly lead to hearing loss.
Stress Can Lead To Other Diseases That Damage Hearing
High levels of stress can cause elevated levels of blood pressure or hypertension. It is common to move to smoking when you experience stress. Also, your heart is more prone to damage when you are constantly stressed. All these issues have negative effects on hearing. Elevated blood pressure can damage your blood vessels which could harm your hearing and can cause a condition called tinnitus.
Also Read: How Diabetes Impact Your Hearing
Stress and Other Hearing Issues
Another hearing issue that is related to anxiety is tinnitus. Tinnitus is basically a ringing sound in your ear, and you may also experience buzzing, whistling, or hissing sounds. However, this is not a disease but can impact your overall life and health. A nationwide study correlates anxiety with tinnitus. According to the researchers, stress and anxiety can be possible triggers of this issue. However, they do not know the precise reason for this. Since this is the issue with the inner ear, it is often hard to diagnose.
There are other reasons that can cause tinnitus, like ear injury, wax blocking, sinus infections, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.
How Do Ears feel Under Stress?
Stress can make you feel like your ears are blocked and you have constant pain or pressure. It can impact one or both of your ears.
How To Cope Up With Stress?
- Take a moment from what is stressing you. Stay away from the stressor for about 20 minutes.
- Exercise helps in destressing by releasing certain chemicals in the brain that act on the body and reduce stress.
- Meditation helps with improving concentration, focus and relaxation of the mind.
When To Seek Help?
Stress management is essential not only to stop hearing loss but also to prevent its negative impacts on the overall body. If your stress has exceeded manageable levels, then it is time to seek professional attention. If the discomfort in your ears is increasing day by day, you must visit a doctor and get a thorough diagnosis and treatment.
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