Surreal illustration of an ear intertwined with a heart.

Sudden Hearing Loss: Is Your Heart a Hidden Culprit?

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the surprising link between cardiovascular health and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Are you at risk?"

Imagine waking up one morning to find that your hearing has significantly diminished, seemingly out of nowhere. This is the reality for many individuals who experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), a condition characterized by a rapid loss of hearing, often in one ear. While the exact cause of SSNHL can be elusive, researchers are exploring various potential links, including those to cardiovascular health.

SSNHL is defined as hearing impairment that occurs over a period of 72 hours or less. It is diagnosed when a hearing test reveals a loss of 30 decibels or more across at least three connected frequencies. When no specific cause can be identified after a thorough evaluation, the condition is termed idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

A new study has explored whether a connection exists between cardiovascular conditions and SSNHL, providing insights into who might be more at risk and what it could mean for recovery.

Decoding the Cardiovascular-Hearing Connection: What the Research Reveals

Surreal illustration of an ear intertwined with a heart.

A retrospective study published in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology investigated the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients hospitalized for idiopathic SSNHL. The study, conducted at Amiens University Hospital in France, involved 80 patients who were treated for SSNHL over a six-year period. The researchers aimed to determine whether cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, were more prevalent in individuals with SSNHL.

The findings revealed that a significant proportion of the study participants had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Hyperlipidemia was the most common, affecting over half of the patients, followed by hypertension. Diabetes and obesity were also noted, though less frequently. However, the study did not find a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of these risk factors between patients with complete SSNHL (profound hearing loss) and those with partial SSNHL.

Hyperlipidemia: High levels of lipids (fats, cholesterol, and triglycerides) in the blood.
Hypertension: High blood pressure, which can strain the heart and blood vessels.
Diabetes Mellitus: A metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels.
Obesity: Excessive accumulation of body fat, often measured by body mass index (BMI).

Interestingly, the study revealed that some patients were newly diagnosed with hyperlipidemia or hypertension during their hospitalization for SSNHL. This suggests that SSNHL may sometimes serve as an indicator of underlying cardiovascular issues that were previously undiagnosed. While the study did not establish a direct causal relationship, it highlights the potential for SSNHL to prompt further cardiovascular evaluation.

Protecting Your Hearing: A Holistic Approach

While research continues to explore the complex relationship between cardiovascular health and SSNHL, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is a proactive step you can take to protect your overall well-being, including your hearing. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help monitor your cardiovascular risk factors and ensure early detection and management of any underlying issues. Remember, taking care of your heart is also an investment in the health of your ears.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1017/s0022215117001736, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Cardiovascular Risks And Recovery Of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss In Hospitalised Patients: Comparison Between Complete And Partial Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Subject: Otorhinolaryngology

Journal: The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Authors: C Haremza, N Klopp-Dutote, V Strunski, C Page

Published: 2017-08-15

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and how is it defined and diagnosed?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as a rapid loss of hearing, typically occurring in one ear, over a period of 72 hours or less. Diagnosis requires a hearing test showing a loss of 30 decibels or more across at least three connected frequencies. When no specific cause is identified, it's termed idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. While this definition outlines the immediate hearing impairment, it doesn't address potential long-term effects or the emotional impact on individuals experiencing SSNHL, which are important aspects of the condition.

What were the main findings of The Journal of Laryngology & Otology study regarding cardiovascular risk factors in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL)?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology study revealed a significant proportion of SSNHL patients had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Hyperlipidemia was the most common, followed by hypertension. Diabetes mellitus and obesity were also noted but less frequently. It's important to note that the study did not establish a direct causal relationship, but it did highlight the need for cardiovascular evaluation in SSNHL patients. A missing point is that the study didn't evaluate the impact of lifestyle interventions on preventing SSNHL.

What are hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, and how are they related to the findings of the study?

Hyperlipidemia refers to high levels of lipids (fats, cholesterol, and triglycerides) in the blood. Hypertension is high blood pressure, straining the heart and blood vessels. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with high blood sugar levels. Obesity is excessive body fat accumulation, often measured by BMI. The study's findings suggest that addressing these cardiovascular risk factors might positively impact SSNHL outcomes. A point to note is that the study does not explain if lowering these risks will help reduce the chance of getting SSNHL.

Did The Journal of Laryngology & Otology study find any difference in cardiovascular risk factors between patients with complete SSNHL (profound hearing loss) versus those with partial SSNHL?

While the study revealed cardiovascular risk factors like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity were present in SSNHL patients, it did not find a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of these risk factors between patients with complete SSNHL (profound hearing loss) and those with partial SSNHL. Further research needs to explore why some individuals experience more severe hearing loss than others despite similar cardiovascular profiles. This could involve genetic factors, other co-existing health conditions, or environmental influences.

Given the potential link between cardiovascular health and SSNHL, what proactive steps can individuals take to protect their hearing and overall well-being?

Though a direct causal link hasn't been established, the study suggests SSNHL may sometimes serve as an indicator of underlying cardiovascular issues, prompting further evaluation. Implementing a heart-healthy lifestyle, including regular check-ups for monitoring cardiovascular risk factors, is crucial. Taking care of your heart, by managing conditions like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity, is an investment in the health of your ears. This can improve overall well-being and potentially protect against hearing loss.