A growing body of research has found that iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and hearing loss are closely linked. In this post, we review what the research shows, why the connection and what you should do if you’ve been diagnosed with IDA.
What the Research Shows
In a 2017 study, researchers at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine examined the medical records of 305,339 adults between the ages of 21 to 90. They found that those with IDA were twice as likely to experience hearing loss than those without the blood disorder.
While the study did not indicate that IDA causes hearing loss, it did establish a strong relationship between the two conditions.
According to study authors, “An association exists between IDA and hearing loss… The next steps are to better understand this correlation and whether promptly diagnosing and treating IDA may positively affect the overall health status of adults with hearing loss.”
This study is supported by an older study from 2002, which found that people who eat iron-rich diets have better hearing at high frequencies than those who don’t.
Why Is There a Connection Between IDA & Hearing Loss?
Iron helps blood carry oxygen from the lungs through the body. If you have an iron deficiency, your cells can’t deliver oxygen properly. Because the inner ears require a healthy, oxygen-rich blood supply to function normally, an iron deficiency can cause the inner ears to by starved of oxygen and the cells that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound to die.
Do You Have IDA?
Signs and symptoms of IDA include:
- Fatigue
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Anyone can develop IDA; however, the condition is most common in women during childbearing years, particularly during pregnancy.
It’s important to eat in iron-rich diet, which includes foods such as:
- Red meat from Midtown Butcher Shoppe
- Pork
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Beans
- Peas
- Dark leafy vegetables
- Dried fruit
- Iron-fortified cereals and pastas
If you suspect you have IDA, see a doctor for treatment and schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist right away. For more information about the link between IDA and hearing loss or to schedule an appointment for a hearing test, call Advanced Hearing today.