Hearing decline in women typically occurs from the age of 50, coinciding with hormonal changes
• Why hormones can impact your hearing
• How you can prevent a deterioration in hearing
• What to do if your hearing is starting to decline
Hearing issues are quite common – one in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus [1]. While we associate hearing loss with age - over half of people in the UK aged 55 or older have hearing loss [1] - there are significant differences between the sexes in when this can occur.
RELATED: Tinnitus, perimenopause and menopause
When do women experience hearing loss?
Age-related decline usually starts after 30 in men, but not until after the age of 50 in women. Research suggests that menopause appears to act as a trigger of a relatively rapid age-related hearing decline in healthy women (and that it usually starts in the left ear) [2].
This sex difference is thought to be due to the protective effect of oestrogen. In a study that found that women have higher hearing sensitivity than men (on average two decibels) [3], co-author Professor Turi King surmised: “This could be due to different exposure to hormones during development in the womb, due to men and women having slight structural differences in cochlear anatomy.”
Professor King also noted that while women also perform better in hearing tests than men, having more sensitive hearing may not necessarily be a good thing as noise can have a detrimental effect on the likes of your sleep quality. (You may be only too aware of this if your partner snores!)
With all this in mind, you might assume that women who experience menopause later will also delay any potential hearing loss. However, research has found the opposite to be true – the risk of hearing loss among women who undergo a natural menopause at an older age is higher [4].
While there is more to understand on the role of hormones and hearing, there are known way that you can help to prevent hearing loss.
How can I prevent hearing loss?
Check your hearing regularly
If you think you may have a problem with your hearing, get it checked out sooner rather than later so something can be done about it. You might also want to consider having annual hearing checks if you work in noisy environments.
Lower your exposure to loud background noise
If you have to raise your voice to be heard in a noisy place, or can’t hear other people talking, that’s generally a sign that the background noise could potentially be damaging your hearing. Anything over 85dB is classed as harmful. For comparison, normal conversation is 60dB, a motorbike is 90 dB and a plane taking off is 120dB.
A common way that people expose their ears to harmful levels of noise is by listening to music or podcasts through headphones. To help avoid damaging your hearing in this way you could use noise-cancelling headphones, avoid listening to music at more than 60% of the maximum volume – some devices have settings you can use to limit the volume automatically – and try not to use headphones for more than an hour at a time.
Protect your hearing during loud events and activities by not being close to the loudspeakers, try to take a break from the noise every 15 minutes, and consider wearing earplugs that reduce the volume but don’t muffle it.
If you’re exposed to loud noises through your work, speak to your human resources (HR) department or occupational health manager. Your employer is obliged to make changes to reduce your exposure to loud noise.
Look after your health
• Manage your blood pressure and heart health. Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in your ears, which can lead to a reduced ability to hear
• Stop smoking and vaping, and limit drinking. Chemicals such as tobacco smoke can damage hearing.
• Exercise. This can improve blood circulation to your ears.
• Reduce stress. Acute stress can temporarily restrict blood flow to your cochlea, while chronic stress can lead to health problems that can in turn impact hearing.
• Eat foods high in vitamin B12, magnesium, potassium, and iron. These support, regulate and protect nerve health.
RELATED: Exercise during perimenopause and menopause
Know your family history of hearing
Some age-related hearing loss is genetic, so ask your older relatives about their hearing to see if there are any patterns.
Be aware of drugs that cause hearing loss
Drugs that can cause damage to the inner ear, which can cause hearing loss, balance problems or tinnitus are called ototoxic. There are more than 100 prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are linked with hearing loss, including some common ones like aspirin or anti-inflammatory painkillers. Usually, there is only a risk to your hearing if you’re taking very large doses, or very strong drugs, such as those used to treat cancer.
How can I treat my hearing loss during menopause?
If you are experiencing perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, HRT is usually the first-line treatment. The research is not yet clear regarding HRT lowering the risk of hearing loss – more studies are needed.
RELATED: Perimenopause, menopause and HRT
Hearing aids, although not able to restore hearing, can make sounds louder and clearer. If you do not need or want a hearing aid, assistive devices can be installed in your home, for example to your TV or front doorbell, to amplify sound.
Steps you can take include reducing background noise when talking to others, facing people when talking to them so you can see their mouth and facial expressions and not listening to music too loudly. Lipreading classes are also available.
Consult your healthcare professional if you have noticed any gradual or sudden loss of hearing.
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