If you have a thyroid issue, you may not consider its impact on your hearing. However, research has uncovered an interesting link between thyroid disorders and hearing loss. It is estimated that over 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition at some point during their life, and almost 30 million Americans could benefit from hearing aids. Given how common hearing issues and thyroid issues are, let’s discuss their relationship.
What Does the Thyroid Do?
The thyroid is a gland at the front of the lower neck, just under the skin. Its main function is to produce and release hormones that regulate your metabolism, or the process of transforming food into energy.
A thyroid disorder occurs when the thyroid either overproduces these hormones and speeds up your metabolism (hyperthyroidism) or under produces these hormones and slows down your metabolism (hypothyroidism). Most types of thyroid disorders are genetic or connected to another autoimmune disease, but thyroid issues can also develop if you have an iodine deficiency, as the thyroid gland needs iodine to create thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism both cause a wide range of symptoms, and they mirror each other. Here are some examples:
- Hypothyroidism causes a slower heart rate; hyperthyroidism causes an elevated heart rate.
- Hypothyroidism causes cold sensitivity; hyperthyroidism causes heat sensitivity.
- Hypothyroidism causes weight gain; hyperthyroidism causes weight loss.
- Hypothyroidism causes fatigue; hyperthyroidism causes difficulty sleeping.
How Do Thyroid Disorders Affect The Ear?
The main theory as to how thyroid disorders affect hearing is due to the effect it has on blood flow. This is especially true for hypothyroidism, which slows the heart rate and blood flow. The cochlea—an organ in your inner ear responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain—is highly sensitive to changes in blood flow, and permanent damage can occur from any disruptions.
Another theory is that thyroid disorders can affect the auditory nerve pathways. Thyroid hormones play a large role in our bodies’ growth, so a deficiency of thyroid hormones can cause changes to the development of the auditory nervous system.
There are also some indirect effects that thyroid issues may have on hearing health. Thyroid issues coexist frequently with autoimmune conditions, and the link between autoimmune disorders and hearing loss has long been studied. Also, certain medications used to treat thyroid disorders may have ototoxic (damaging to the ear) effects.
How Can I Manage My Hearing Health and Thyroid Disorder?
There is still much we don’t know about how thyroid issues interact with hearing health, but it’s always good to be proactive. Once you have a thyroid dysfunction diagnosis, we recommend that you test your hearing so you have a baseline audiogram and can monitor changes. After that, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for treating your thyroid disorder. The good news is, your thyroid management may also benefit your hearing: one study found that hormone therapy for treating hypothyroidism showed a significant improvement in the patients’ hearing health; in fact, hearing loss was reversed in some patients, but more needs to be studied.
Call Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology if you have any questions or wish to make an appointment.