When we think of hearing health, we often focus on communication, social connection, and quality of life. We have even explored previously on the blog how heart health impacts hearing health. But is the inverse true?

A new study published in Heart suggests that hearing impairment may also have serious implications for heart health — specifically, an increased risk of heart failure.

Researchers followed over 164,000 adults using data from the UK Biobank for nearly 12 years. None of the participants had heart failure at the beginning of the study. Participants’ hearing ability was assessed through a Digit Triplets Test, which measures how well someone can understand speech in noisy environments — a common challenge for those with hearing loss.

During the study period, 4,449 participants developed heart failure.

The study had a few key finding:

• Poorer hearing ability was linked to a higher risk of heart failure. For every standard deviation increase in hearing difficulty, the risk of developing heart failure increased by 5%.

• Compared to those with normal hearing:

• Participants with insufficient hearing had a 15% higher risk of heart failure.

• Those with poor hearing had a 28% higher risk of heart failure.

• Even those using hearing aids had a 26% higher risk of heart failure, suggesting that hearing aid use does not fully offset the cardiovascular impact.

Interestingly, the study also explored why hearing loss might lead to heart failure — and psychological factors played a big part.

• Psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety, explained about 17% of the connection between hearing loss and heart failure.

• Social isolation and neuroticism (a personality trait linked to emotional instability) played smaller roles, mediating around 3% of the risk each.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence that hearing health is deeply connected to overall health — including your heart. It’s not just about hearing better — it's about living longer and healthier.

If you or someone you love is experiencing hearing loss, it’s not something to ignore. Regular hearing checks, timely use of hearing aids, and support for mental well-being may all play a role in reducing future health risks, including heart failure.

Read the full study here, and sign up for the RestorEar newsletter for more research news.