Hearing Loss Can Increase Heart Failure Risk, Study Warns

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology, Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by: A. Odutola, MBBS, PhD, FRCSEd.

Hearing loss can increase heart failure risk. Click on image to expand.

When we think about heart failure, many of us often link it to common factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or poor diet. However, a new study reveals that our ability to hear properly may also influence our heart health.

According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 billion persons live with hearing loss. This translates to an estimated 20% of the entire world's population or 1 in 5 persons. Many people identify hearing loss as a normal sign of aging but now it is being linked to a higher risk of developing heart failure.

This research reminds us that our bodies are deeply connected and one seemingly small health issue can silently affect major organs like the heart.

About the Study

The research was carried out using information from over 164,000 people who were part of the UK Biobank, a large health database in the United Kingdom. All participants were free from heart failure at the beginning of the study, and 4449 (2.7%) participants who developed incident heart failure (HF) were followed up for a period of 11.7 years.

Researchers assessed participants hearing through a speech-in-noise test, which measures how well someone can hear when there is background noise, which is a common real-life situation.

The participants were followed up over several years to see how many developed heart failure. Importantly, the researchers also looked at psychological factors like loneliness, depression and social isolation to understand whether these might explain the link between hearing loss and heart failure.

What the Study Found

The study found that people who performed poorly in the hearing tests had a significantly higher chance of developing heart failure later on. In fact, even after taking into account other well-known risks like age, sex, smoking and high blood pressure, hearing impairment remained an independent risk factor for heart failure.

While mental health issues such as depression and social isolation were partly involved, they did not fully explain the connection. Some experts believe that the stress of straining to hear or the reduced brain stimulation caused by hearing loss may affect the body in ways that lead to heart disease.

Limitations of the Study

This study was an observational project and measured hearing only once. Its findings can be interpreted as suggesting an association but does not prove that hearing loss directly causes heart failure.

Participants were largely white, British, healthier and more affluent than the general public, so the findings may not fully reflect the socioeconomic diversity in African communities where noise exposure, untreated ear infections and limited access to hearing care are common.

Important risk factors such as chronic inflammation, sleep apnea and detailed diet were not fully captured, and pre-existing mild heart?failure cases may have been missed in hospital records.

All these gaps mean the reported risk increase should be viewed more as a warning signal, not a final verdict, until larger and more robust studies confirm the results.

Why the Study Should Matter to Africans

Hearing problems are often ignored across many African countries, especially in older adults. Many communities believe that hearing loss is a normal part of aging that must simply be accepted. However, this research suggests that neglecting hearing health may have more serious consequences than realised.

Many Africans have limited access to hearing tests and the rural areas especially lack trained audiologists and affordable hearing devices. However, now that hearing loss is being associated with heart failure, it becomes even more important to make hearing care a routine part of general health check-ups as hearing impairment may forewarn about possible development of heart failure.

Public health programmes that include hearing care education should be introduced in African countries and simple screening programmes at clinics, especially targeting older adults, should also be added to primary care services to pick up early hearing loss before it leads to further complications.

Why Hearing Health Should Matter to You

Good hearing allows you to stay socially active, maintain mental sharpness and now, according to the research, protect your heart health. Ignoring signs of hearing difficulty like struggling to follow conversations, asking people to repeat themselves or increasing the volume of your radio or television could mean missing out on early intervention that could protect your overall health.

If you notice any changes in your hearing, it is wise to speak to a doctor or hearing specialist. Hearing aids and other supportive devices are becoming more available and using them may not only improve your communication but also support your physical and emotional well-being.

Family members and caregivers also have a role to play. Encouraging loved ones, especially older parents and grandparents, to get their hearing checked can make a big difference to their quality of life and heart health.

Wrap Up

This study reminds us that health problems rarely happen in isolation. Hearing loss might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it could quietly be putting your heart at risk. Taking simple steps like paying attention to your hearing health could prevent future heart problems.

Healthcare systems, community leaders and individuals need to work together to ensure that hearing care becomes part of normal health discussions because by protecting your ears, you may just be giving your hearts a better chance too.

Source: Huang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, et al. (2025). Hearing impairment, psychological distress and incident heart failure: a prospective cohort study. Heart. Available from here

Published: May 18, 2025

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