Did you know that there is a link between thyroid disease and hearing loss? In fact, as many as 1 out of every 4 people with thyroid disease will experience some degree of hearing loss. If you have recently been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or thyroid dysfunction, you may want to get a hearing test —especially if you are experiencing any symptoms like hearing loss or tinnitus.
Abnormal thyroid levels and thyroid dysfunction have been associated with ringing in the ears. Since tinnitus is so closely tied to hearing loss, it’s important to have a hearing test to rule out any hearing loss. Here’s how thyroid hormone disorders, tinnitus, and hearing loss are all related.
How The Thyroid Gland Works (And What Happens When It Doesn’t)
The thyroid is one of the most important hormonal glands found in the body. It releases a constant stream of hormones that help regulate your heart rate, temperature, metabolism, growth, and many other body functions. Thyroid hormones are responsible for countless processes in the body, so optimal thyroid function is paramount, including matters concerning the inner ear.
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"Treble Health helped me reduce my tinnitus by about 80%, and now I can live my life again!"
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Many people immediately look at thyroid hormone deficiencies when looking at issues like weight gain or hearing issues, but if the thyroid releases too many hormones, it can also disrupt those functions and cause problems. Low thyroid hormone levels can cause fatigue and exhaustion, while high levels might cause a rapid heartbeat or trigger anxiety. Dysfunctional thyroid hormones serve as risk factors for additional conditions and concerns.
Who Is At Risk For Thyroid Disease?
Thyroid diseases are very common — about 20 million people in the United States have some type of thyroid disorder. They are much more likely to affect women than men; the chances of developing a thyroid disease are 5 to 8 times higher in females. Because hypothyroidism patients are disproportionately female, it can be important to evaluate the risk of developing tinnitus in this population.
Women over the age of 50 have a higher risk due to the hormonal changes in menopause. Besides gender, the other major risk factor is a family history of thyroid disease, which can lead to congenital hypothyroidism or see thyroid dysfunction develop over time. Autoimmune disorders like Type 1 diabetes can also increase the risk factors involved in developing thyroid disease.
Types Of Thyroid Diseases
There are two main types of thyroid disorders: low hormone production and high hormone production. Most people with thyroid disease have either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism from an underactive or overactive thyroid gland, respectively.
Certain autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s Disease or Graves’ Disease can also affect the thyroid gland, although these conditions are rare compared to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Growths, like goiters, or thyroid cancer can interfere with thyroid function, as well, which still results in an increased risk of hearing loss and tinnitus prevalence.
The two main types of thyroid diseases are:
- Hypothyroidism – An under active thyroid gland that does not produce enough hormones.
- Hyperthyroidism – An overactive thyroid gland that releases too many hormones.
Autoimmune diseases that affect the thyroid include:
- Hashimoto’s Disease – The immune system attacks thyroid producing cells thereby preventing the thyroid from making enough hormones, as with hypothyroidism.
- Graves’ Disease – The immune system makes the thyroid gland over-productive, much like hyperthyroidism.
Diagnosing Thyroid Disease
Most thyroid diseases can be diagnosed through blood tests. Your doctor will take blood samples to send to the lab for analysis. Because the thyroid gland regulates hormone production, a blood test should show deficiencies or overactivity of those hormones.
There are several blood tests that can help detect thyroid dysfunctions. These tests include:
- TSH tests measure the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone to help doctors diagnose the most common thyroid disorders. High levels of TSH indicate hypothyroidism, while low levels of TSH indicate hyperthyroidism. These are considered the gold standard to evaluate for hyper or hypothyroid patients.
- T4 tests measure the amount of thyroid hormone T4 (thyroxine) to check for abnormally high or low levels.
- TPO tests measure the amount of thyroid antibodies in your blood to help diagnose autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Disease. This is not the standard for overall disorders.
However, some thyroid diseases cannot always be detected with blood tests. Growths, like goiters and cancers, might not affect the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. If there is a mass or swelling in your throat, your doctor might recommend a biopsy or ultrasound to test for thyroid cancer. The thyroid gland regulates hormone production, but it is not always easy to determine the root cause of dysfunction.
Treatment For Thyroid Disease
In most cases, thyroid disorders can be treated with daily medication. Hormone replacement pills like L-thyroxine can stabilize hormone levels for people with hypothyroidism. To treat hyperthyroidism, doctors prescribe anti-thyroid medications that regulate hormone production.
Surgeries to treat thyroid cancer have very high success rates, but in some cases, the entire thyroid gland may have to be removed. Without a thyroid gland, daily medications will be necessary to simulate thyroid functions and mitigate an increased risk of complications that come along with too high or too low thyroid hormone levels.
The Connection Between Thyroid Disease And Hearing Loss
The link between thyroid disorders and hearing loss was established as far back as 1907 and has been well-documented ever since. Although more research is still needed to determine the exact relationship between the thyroid and the auditory system, studies show that changes in thyroid hormone levels can cause hearing loss or negatively impact the auditory system.
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been linked to hearing loss, along with Hashimoto’s Disease and Graves’ Disease. Hearing loss as a result of interruption to thyroid hormones can happen on its own, or it can be accompanied by other symptoms like tinnitus or vertigo.
Types Of Hearing Loss Caused By Thyroid Disease
Studies have shown that thyroid disorders can cause both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, as well as a combination of the two. Thyroxine is needed in the development of the auditory system and the function of the inner ear. The two types of hearing loss that can be found in patients with thyroid disorders include sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss.
- Sensorineural hearing loss occurs because of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It may happen gradually or suddenly. Sensorineural hearing loss can be limited once you treat thyroid issues or it may be more permanent.
- Conductive hearing loss happens when sounds are blocked from entering the inner ear. For example, too much wax in your ear canals or fluid behind your eardrum can impair your hearing. An underactive thyroid or autoimmune disease can contribute to the buildup of excess earwax.
How Different Types Of Thyroid Diseases Affect Hearing:
Thyroid issues and autoimmune disease can all contribute to a primary outcome of hearing loss, and a peripheral outcome of tinnitus. The precise manner in which these conditions affect hearing and the auditory system depends on the mechanism of the condition, and can even be impacted by additional concerns, including a dysfunctional central nervous system, high blood pressure, and even diabetes.
- Hypothyroidism has long been associated with sensorineural hearing loss. In fact, hearing loss affects about 25% of people with acquired hypothyroidism. It has also been linked to sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).
- Hyperthyroidism has been linked to SSNHL as well as auditory conditions, like tinnitus.
- Inflammation from Hashimoto’s Disease can damage the inner ear and impair hearing.
- Graves’ Disease causes hyperthyroidism, and can cause sudden hearing loss or tinnitus.
If hearing loss is presenting as a symptom of a thyroid dysfunction, patients may be more likely to develop tinnitus. In some cases, treating hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism will alleviate the symptoms of developed tinnitus, but clinical management may also be necessary.
Thyroid Disorders And Ringing In The Ears
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is often a symptom of hearing impairment. In fact, health data shows that 90% of people with tinnitus also lose some of their hearing ability. Just like thyroid disease can cause hearing loss, it can also cause tinnitus.
Ringing in the ears and other tinnitus symptoms often precede the gradual hearing loss caused by hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease. Hyperthyroidism itself can actually be a risk factor for developing tinnitus.
Many common medications can cause tinnitus as a side effect, as well, including some of the antithyroid drugs that are used to treat Graves’ Disease and hyperthyroidism. If you have ringing in your ears and are also taking propylthiouracil (PTU), you could be experiencing tinnitus because of your medication.
Tinnitus Treatment For People With Thyroid Disorders
If you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition, your tinnitus may start to diminish after you begin treatment. Taking daily thyroid medications helps restore hormonal balance, improving your hearing, and relieving thyroid-related tinnitus symptoms.
A 2017 study found that thyroid replacement therapy was able to improve hearing in 50% of the patients studied, and to completely reverse hearing loss in 15% of them. If you still suffer from tinnitus, there is treatment available that can minimize your symptoms or relieve them altogether. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) has proven effective for 80% of the people who try it.
Tinnitus Treatment With Treble Health
Tinnitus can’t be cured with surgery or medication, but a holistic, therapeutic approach can significantly reduce your symptoms. You don’t have to let tinnitus disrupt your concentration or affect your hearing—our audiology team has years of experience working with people in which tinnitus occurred as a result of medication or health conditions and has helped thousands of patients find lasting relief. We encourage you to reach out to schedule a complimentary telehealth consultation today.
During your consultation, you can expect to receive 20 minutes of personalized recommendations, answered questions, and help navigating the complex ins and outs of tinnitus. We are committed to helping you find relief and improved quality of life. To start your journey to relief, schedule your consultation now.
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