What is the link between Thyroid Health and Hearing Loss?

Some people who suffer from thyroid disease also have hearing loss. There are always ongoing studies about more and more correlations between the two, but here are the most recent discoveries.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. The main function is to discharge hormones that control your metabolism. 

Approximately 20 millions Americans have a form of thyroid disease. A symptom of the disease is hearing loss. Medication used to treat a patient’s thyroid could lead to hearing loss. 

The Association Between Hearing Loss and Thyroid Disease

Prescribed medication for Graves’ disease has been tied to loss of hearing. Graves’ disease is a syndrome when there is an overproduction of hormones in the thyroid. Propylthiouracil, a frequently used medication to treat Graves’ disease, is known to cause blood vessels to swell in the ears and ultimately cause hearing loss.

A Low Consumption of Iodine may cause Hearing Loss

A healthy thyroid needs iodine. A deficiency in iodine can cause hypothyroidism, where the gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. A recent study showed that a low consumption of iodine, and how it affects the thyroid, is associated to hearing loss in teens.  

Hearing Loss in infants could be caused by Thyroid Imbalance  
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Recent studies have indicated that a lack of thyroid hormones as a fetus develops in the womb could result in complete loss of hearing at birth. This could be the result of each parent possessing a mutated gene that blocks thyroid hormones - which are fundamental to the ear’s development - from reaching the inner ear of the fetus.     
  
Researchers concluded that if each parent possesses the mutated gene, a synthetic thyroid hormone could be given to the mother to help the fetus develop healthy hearing.
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If you suffer from thyroid disease and have concerns regarding your hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation from one of our hearing instrument specialists. Our specialist will evaluate your level of hearing loss, and recommend the best hearing aid options for you.  ​

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