We already know that obesity causes disorders such as heart failure, hypertension and diabetes. In adults, it would also be a factor increasing the risk of deafness. American researchers have even discovered that adolescents suffering from obesity are more prone to hearing problems than others.
The risks in adolescents
The research was conducted at Columbia University. It was on nearly 1,500 American adolescents, aged between 12 and 19, that the studies were carried out. The results were published in The Laryngoscope. Among these 1500 teenagers, those who were the most obese revealed hearing problems, following a series of tests. On the other hand, those who are of normal weight or who are slightly overweight, had fewer hearing problems. This is the first study on the link between obesity and deafness in adolescents.
80% of young people with deafness do not know it
For the moment, there is not yet an exact explanation of this relationship between deafness and obesity in adolescents. But, according to an observation by the authors of this new study, the majority of hearing losses are due to neurosensory problems and not to the level of the inner ear. It would be the excess of adipose tissue, releasing inflammatory cells, which would be the main cause. But most of the cases, hearing disorders are not even noticed by the subject. However, it should be noted that such disorders can worsen with age and cause cognitive problems or lack of concentration. Many of the kids tested by the Columbia University team couldn’t hear low frequencies. According to Anil Lalwani, author of the study, 80% of these teenagers with partial deafness are not aware of it. He therefore offers obese young people to take tests.
