Everyone deals with stress at some point, and it can have a variety of negative effects on the body. When thinking about stress, most people consider the way it can affect their heart, skin, and even mind, but did you know that stress can also affect your hearing and, in turn, your ears? It’s easy to not think about it because hearing loss typically isn’t a primary focus for most, but it’s important to understand the impact chronic stress can have on your ears and what you can do about it.
What is stress?
First thing’s first: what exactly is stress? Stress is the body’s adaptive response to particular situations, events or perceptions that are potentially threatening or harmful, or from a change in one’s environment. It’s important to note that stress isn’t always bad—often referred to as “positive stress,” it can be a helpful motivator for taking action. However, stress can also lead to harmful behaviors, and when left untreated, can have detrimental long-term or irreversible effects on the body.
How does stress impact your ears?
Stress can have a variety of effects on the ears of those who experience it. When under stress, the body often produces what is known as the “fight or flight” response, which in turn leads to an increase in adrenaline levels. This can result in a constriction of the blood vessels in the ear, making it difficult for sound waves to flow through the ear canal, which could potentially lead to hearing difficulties.
Beyond causing a rise in adrenaline levels, stress can also cause muscles in the neck, jaw, and around the ear to tense, which can lead to tension headaches and ear pain. Stress and anxiety can also increase the likelihood of experiencing tinnitus (ringing or hissing in the ears), a temporary, but often disruptive, condition.
What can you do to ease stress and protect your ears?
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to ease stress and, in turn, protect your ears. One of the most important things to do is take time to relax and find ways to combat stress throughout your day. Taking time to do the things you love can be very helpful in reducing stress and making it easier to cope. Also, regular exercise can help to lower stress levels, as it can help to increase endorphin levels, which, in turn, can lead to an increase in energy levels and reduce stress and anxiety.
Breathing techniques and meditation can also be very beneficial in reducing stress levels. These practices can help to slow down the nervous system, promote physical and mental relaxation and help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Are there any other ways to protect ears from stress?
Lastly, taking the time to properly protect your ears from loud noises can help reduce the detrimental impact stress can have on hearing. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can be detrimental to the overall health of the ear, as it can lead to a temporary change in hearing or even a permanent loss of hearing, especially if the noise level is loud. To protect your ears, it’s important to use ear protection—such as earplugs—when the noise level is too loud or wear noise-canceling headphones to filter out loud sounds.
In Conclusion
Stress can have an undeniable impact on the body, and often overlooked is the impact it can have on the ears. The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your ears and reduce the impact of stress. Practicing relaxation techniques, taking time to do the things you love, regular exercise, and wearing ear protection when necessary all can play a part in keeping your ears healthy and reducing the impact stress can have.