Women who are obese may have an increased risk of experiencing hearing loss, a new study indicates.

US researchers followed the progress of over 68,000 women between 1989 and 2009. Every two years during this period, the women were extensively questioned about their health, including their hearing.

During this time, one in six women reported some hearing loss. However, the study found that women with a higher body mass index (BMI) had an increased risk of experiencing loss of hearing.

In fact, those with a BMI of between 30 and 39 - officially classed as obese - were up to 22% more likely to report hearing loss compared to women with a BMI of less than 25 - which is classed as normal.

Furthermore, those with a BMI of over 40, i.e. morbidly obese, had a 25% increased risk of experiencing hearing loss.

The study also found that women with a large waist size were at an increased risk. Those with waists that measured larger than 34 inches were 27% more likely to experience hearing loss compared to women with waist measurements of less than 28 inches.

Waist size appeared to increase the risk even when BMI was taken into account, suggesting that having a lot of fat around your abdominal area negatively affects hearing.

The results stood even when other factors that can influence hearing were taken into account, such as the use of some medications and smoking.

However, the study did find that exercise reduced the risk of hearing loss. Overall, women who walked for a minimum of four hours per week saw their risk fall by around 15% compared to women who walked for less than one hour per week.

The researchers said they did not know why obesity and hearing loss appeared to be linked, however the findings suggest that exercise may offer some protection.

Details of these findings are published in the American Journal of Medicine.

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