Your ears are more than just the things that help you to hear the various sounds around you – they can tell you a whole lot about the state of your general health, which is why you should pay far more attention to them.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the things your ears can tell you about the state of your health right now:
You may have heart disease
You may not think that your ears can tell you anything about your heart health, but you would be wrong. Creased earlobes can be a sign of heart disease, which is why, if your audiologist notices that your earlobes are creased when they did not use to be, they may suggest you see a doctor. Of course, sometimes earlobes just get creed because of the way you’ve slept on them or whatever, so it’s important not to panic.
You could have diabetes, dementia, or kidney disease
If you are experiencing hearing loss, sometimes it can be nothing more sinister than your aural health having been compromised over time, and you will have nothing more to worry about than how to choose a hearing aid that works well for you. However, hearing loss has been linked to various illnesses, including diabetes, dementia, and kidney disease, so if you are experiencing hearing loss, and you have other worrying symptoms, it may be worth getting them checked out just in case.
You have an infection
If you suddenly experience hearing loss in just one ear, it could be a sign that you have an infection in and around that area. Sometimes ear infections can cause fluid to build up, which leads to a degradation of hearing. When this happens, it’s important you treat the infection swiftly because, if it worsens, your hearing loss could become permanent.
You have a tumor
Hearing loss in one ear, especially when accompanied by pressure, could indicate that you have a tumor growing in the area, which is pressing against your inner ear workings and causing you to lose sound. As you can imagine, this could be pretty serious, which is why you will need to make a medical appointment asap.
You have high blood pressure
If you are experiencing tinnitus – a whistling or whooshing sounds in your ear that no one else can hear – it could be a sign that you have high blood pressure, so you will need to get that checked out.
Tinnitus can also be a symptom of high blood pressure, heart disease, stress, and tumors too, so it is really important that you do not ignore tinnitus, especially if it just comes out of nowhere.
You have toothache or jaw issues
Sometimes, if you develop an earache, it is not actually your ear that is the problem, but a tooth or jaw issue such as TMJ, which is radiating to the ear. If that is the case, then seeing a dentist and physiotherapist will probably be of more help to you than an audiologist.
Your ears really can tell you a lot about your health!
