You probably already know that Santa Fe is the highest U.S. state capital, soaring above the Mile High City by almost 2,000 feet. If you live here in Santa Fe, especially year-round, you’ve probably acclimated to the high elevation and high desert climate, but even so, those elements can have some interesting effects on our bodies, including ear and hearing health.
First, A Quick Recap
Let’s quickly review the parts of our auditory (hearing) system. Sound waves enter the outer ear and are funneled to the eardrum. The sound waves hit the eardrum, which then vibrates and sends the vibrations into the middle ear to three tiny bones called the ossicles. The ossicles amplify the sound vibrations and conduct them into the cochlea, an organ in the inner ear. Inside the cochlea, there are thousands of tiny sensory cells that “read” these vibrations, encode them into electrical signals and transmit them to the brain.
Low Air Pressure
At high altitudes, the air pressure is lowered. The mechanisms that make up our auditory system are incredibly complex, and they’re very sensitive to air pressure.
The middle ear—the home of the ossicles—is particularly sensitive to air pressure and has a device that equalizes pressure between the inside of the ear and the outside called the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. It is often shut, but when the pressure inside and outside the tube is unequal, it will open, letting a small amount of air in or out to match the pressure outside.
When pressure is unequal, you’re likely to experience fullness or pressure in the ears, ear pain, temporary hearing changes or frequent ear popping (the sound of the Eustachian tubes opening). In particular, the hearing changes you experience may include muffled hearing, as the ossicles may struggle to amplify the vibrations into the inner ear in the suboptimal pressure levels.
Low Oxygen Levels
The air at high elevations also has a lower oxygen concentration. This means that you’re bringing in less oxygen per breath than you would at a lower elevation, even if you’re breathing at a normal pace. This, too, can affect hearing. The sensory cells in the cochlea, the cells that are responsible for collecting sound information and sending it to the brain, are dependent on a steady flow of oxygen-rich blood to function. Decrease their oxygen supply, and they can wither and die, like an unwatered houseplant.
What Studies Show
This article compiles 17 existing studies on how high altitude affects hearing, and they found that hearing thresholds often increased at high altitudes (meaning that sounds had to be louder for participants to hear them than at lower altitudes). They conclude that more research is needed, preferably with a larger, more diverse population (these 17 studies have a total of 888 subjects, predominantly male).
At Home in Santa Fe
As we mentioned previously, if you live in the area, you’ve probably acclimated to the low air pressure and oxygen levels. These effects are felt much more dramatically in people who have rapidly changed elevation recently. However, “acclimated” does not mean “immune to the effects of.”
We at Southwestern Hearing & Balance made our home here in Santa Fe, and we understand its unique geography and its effects on hearing. We pride ourselves on being experts in the area. If you feel like you may be experiencing changes in your hearing, we are happy to help you on your hearing journey, and will duly take elevation into account as we assess your hearing needs. Call today to learn more!