Hormone Replacement Therapy and Hearing Loss

Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. During this transitional period, a woman may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as temperature fluctuations, insomnia, and mood swings. Many women seek relief from these problems through hormone replacement therapy, the process of taking female hormones that naturally decrease during menopause.

The decision to undergo HRT or not is a complex one, with many variables to consider. While the treatment has many benefits, including a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, it also has potentially harmful side effects. One such effect that has only recently been uncovered by researchers is possible hearing impairment.

If your hearing has been affected by HRT or any other factor, a high quality hearing aid could help you reduce the impact of hearing loss on your life. To learn more, call HearingPlanet's hearing aid specialists at 1-800-432-7669.

Synthetic Hormones and Your Hearing

It is common for people of both genders to experience high frequency hearing loss over the age of 60. However, recent studies show that women who take hormone replacement therapy during menopause may experience an earlier onset of this problem than women who do not. Researchers are particularly concerned about progestin, a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone.

Progestin seems to damage hearing in two ways. First, the inner ear, where highly sensitive receptor cells are located, can be damaged by the drug. Second, the area of the brain that processes sound may function differently for women who have been taking the drug. As a result, women who take it tend to have less hearing ability and less speech recognition than women of the same age who only take estrogen or do not take HRT.

This does not necessarily mean that use of progestin should be stopped, however. Some women still think that its benefits for them outweigh possible side effects. However, doctors recommend that women undergoing this treatment schedule regular hearing exams as part of their therapy.

Contact a Hearing Aid Professional

Impaired hearing can disrupt your life in many different ways. To learn about hearing aids and other assistive devices that can help, contact a hearing aid expert from HearingPlanet today at 1-800-432-7669.