Can the Risks of Hearing Loss Increase due to Hormone Replacement?

​General Hearing Loss Statistics

Hearing loss is defined as the inability to hear sounds at 25 decibels or under in speech. This usually leads to problems with comprehending conversations and hearing particular sounds.  

About 48 million Americans have some range of hearing loss. That’s more than 20 percent of the entire adult population in the U.S. 

Women and Hearing Loss

Women are shown to have a lower risk of hearing loss than men. Among those between the ages of 20 and 69, men are twice as likely than women to acquire speech-frequency hearing loss. 

It is not completely understood as to why women typically have fewer experiences of hearing loss. Some research has indicated that the female hormone estrogen might protect the inner ear. Estrogen affects many cells, which include the heart, brain, and blood vessels. 

Women tend to experience hearing loss more often after menopause. During this time, the levels of progesterone and estrogen begin to decline. This is another reason why sex hormones are likely to influence hearing loss. 

Some researchers suspect that hormone replacement therapy may reduce the risks of hearing loss. Other studies have challenged this hypothesis and highlighted the major side effects of hormone therapy.

The study included about 81,000 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study II (the first large-scale research study to examine hormone therapy and its link to hearing loss in menopausal and postmenopausal women).

The women were between 27 and 44 years of age at the start of the study. They were clinically followed for 22 years between 1991 and 2013. During the study, women self-reported their hearing loss and usage of oral hormone therapy. 

About 23 percent of the women reported some range of hearing loss during the follow-up period.    

The hormone therapy used estrogen therapy or estrogen plus progestogen. The study concluded that oral hormone therapy in postmenopausal women, and extensive use of oral hormone therapy, was indeed linked to a higher risk of hearing loss. 

This indicates that hormone therapy raises the risk of hearing loss. The longer they use them, the higher the risk will be.

The study also found that those who were older and experienced menopause had a higher risk of hearing loss. The reasons behind this are still unknown. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. 

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  

Contact Us