How can Side Effects of Psoriasis Impact Your Hearing Health?

Psoriasis generally conjures the image of dry, red, flaky skin due to inflammation. Psoriasis can go beyond skin problems, by affecting your overall health. Chronic irritation can cause cardiovascular disease. 

According to The Journal of Rheumatology, there was a link between psoriatic arthritis, mental health, and hearing damage. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of psoriasis where inflammation occurs near the joints, which leads to pain, inflammation, and difficulty moving. The common skin plaques may not be a symptom in those with psoriatic arthritis. 

Your Hearing and Psoriatic Arthritis

Hearing health may be affected by psoriatic arthritis. In a study, test subjects who did not experience psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis were examined alongside test subjects that had one or the other condition. Researchers found that hearing loss was more likely to be reported by test subjects who had psoriasis. Those accounts were backed up with audiometric testing. Other risks were taken into account, and those who were diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis were far more likely to have hearing loss than any other group of test subjects. 

A study from 2015 discovered that individuals with psoriasis are more likely to experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss - or sudden deafness. With this condition, the ability to hear declines within three days. Researchers believe that those who have psoriasis are at a higher risk, due to the rapid inflammation that occurs when there is a sudden outbreak of psoriasis symptoms. Hearing loss may occur if this flare-up appears close to or inside the cochlea. This sudden hearing loss can usually be helped with treatments that relieve psoriasis, but hearing aids are recommended if sudden hearing loss is not restored with other regimens.  

If you suffer from psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, closely monitor your hearing health. Get your annual healthcare check-up and regular hearing tests. Inflammation from these diseases can cause inner ear damage, which can lead to hearing loss and imbalance. There have also been connections between psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, depression, and anxiety. Each of these problems can worsen hearing loss. Get tested for your hearing early, so that you can get immediate treatment. Untreated hearing loss can lead to dementia. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss or needs assistance with your hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound to schedule an appointment.

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