HEARING loss could be a sign of high cholesterol, experts have warned.
A health boffin has warned Brits to pay attention to their body and senses, as they could be dropping huge hints about your well-being.
Over half of adults in England are living with high cholesterol, which can increase the risk of deadly heart diseases.
But millions of people may not even be aware they have it.
Cholesterol is the fatty substance found in the blood that builds healthy cells - but too much of it can be a bad thing.
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A bad diet, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol all encourage it to accumulate and this can build up in the walls of your arteries.
An overload of cholesterol can clog the blood vessels as well as spurring on serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke.
Although it can be difficult to tell if yours is too high, your body may be showing you signs.
It turns out you can spot clues in your eyes and your feet - and it turns out your ears can also be a great indicator of high cholesterol.
Expert Peter Byrom said changes to your hearing can be a "lesser-known" sign that you are suffering from the condition dubbed the silent killer.
He told the Express: "While it may not be the first warning sign that pops up, it's definitely something worth keeping an eye (or rather ear) out for."
Mr Byrom explained that cholesterol makes the arteries narrower, which inevitably restricts blood flow.
Our ears rely on a healthy blood supply and can't function properly without it - hence the occurrence of hearing issues.
He added: "When blood flow to the delicate structures of the inner ear is compromised, it can result in hearing loss."
High cholesterol sufferers may begin to find it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds and understand conversation in noisy environments.
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Mr Byrom explained people tend to gradually lose their hearing and it often affects both ears equally.
The hearing loss expert urged anyone experiencing symptoms to get checked out, as it can worsen over time if it is left untreated.
He continued: "They can perform a thorough evaluation, which may include blood tests to check your cholesterol levels.
"If high cholesterol is indeed the culprit, they will likely suggest various lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication to help manage your cholesterol levels."
Your GP may test your cholesterol if they think you could be at risk or have suffered a health problem caused by the condition.
But otherwise, there is no definitive way of knowing, other than buying NHS accredited tests online.
