Medical News

Menopause and hearing loss

Last update on Dec 21nd, 2023

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. The period before and after menopause, referred to as perimenopause, is characterised by complex physical and emotional symptoms, spanning from the well-known hot flashes to various sleep disturbances, contributing to feelings of irritability, sadness, and anxiety.

Is there a connection between age and hearing?

The link between age and hearing ability is directly proportional: as age increases, the likelihood of experiencing a decline in hearing increases. With advancing age, there is a physiological decline in a person's ability to perceive sounds, particularly evident from age 50 onwards. Consequently, the likelihood of experiencing hearing impairment increases with age.

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How does menopause affect hearing health?

Menopause introduces a range of psychological and physical imbalances that can disrupt a woman's daily life. One notable concern is the heightened risk of developing hypoacusis, as menopause and hearing loss are interconnected.

Low estrogen levels and hearing loss

During the years leading up to menopause, the body produces less estrogen. Studies have shown that low estrogen can alter hearing ability, not surprisingly, even during the menstrual cycle it can happen that hearing becomes less sensitive.

Menopause and tinnitus

In addition to the connection between menopause and hearing loss, there is a direct connection between menopause and tinnitus: the bothersome ringing in the ears perceived even when there is no external source producing it. Once again, lowered estrogen levels appear to be the primary cause, as individuals with tinnitus observed an improvement in their condition upon commencing hormone therapy.

How can women protect their hearing?

To preserve the health of the auditory system, it is essential to adhere to good habits.

These include

Avoid very loud noises or protect yourself with special ear devices.
Maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Schedule regular hearing examinations.

Get your hearing checked regularly

Doing prevention through regular hearing check-ups is the first rule to safeguard the health of our ears, but more importantly to diagnose a hearing problem that can be effectively treated with the help of hearing aids.