From the Guidelines
Women experiencing hearing loss should seek evaluation by an audiologist or ENT specialist promptly, as age-related hearing loss can significantly impact their quality of life and increase the risk of depression, cognitive decline, and social isolation. According to a recent study published in 2024 1, age-related hearing loss (ARHL) affects approximately 466 million people worldwide and is expected to increase to 630 million by 2030. The study also highlights that women have a lower prevalence of ARHL compared to men, but the progression of hearing loss is still a significant concern.
Risk Factors for Hearing Loss in Women
- Autoimmune disorders, which are more common in women, can increase the risk of hearing loss
- Hormonal changes during menopause, as estrogen helps protect hearing, can also contribute to hearing loss
- Certain medications, such as some chemotherapy drugs, can increase the risk of hearing loss
- Chronic medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, can also influence the development of hearing loss, as noted in the study 1
Importance of Early Intervention
- Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, cognitive decline, and depression, making early intervention crucial
- Women should have baseline hearing tests by age 50 and regular follow-ups every 1-3 years to monitor their hearing
- Treatment options include hearing aids, cochlear implants for severe cases, and assistive listening devices
Prevention and Protection
- Women should protect their hearing by limiting exposure to loud noises and using hearing protection when needed
- Maintaining cardiovascular health through regular exercise and a balanced diet can also help reduce the risk of hearing loss, as noted in the study 1
- Women should also be aware that tinnitus (ringing in the ears) often accompanies hearing loss and should be reported to healthcare providers.
From the Research
Hearing Loss in Women
- There is limited information available on hearing loss specifically in women, as the provided studies do not focus on gender-specific hearing loss.
- However, the studies provide general information on hearing loss, its prevalence, and its effects on individuals.
- According to 2, hearing loss affects over 466 million people worldwide, posing significant challenges for affected individuals, their families, and healthcare providers.
- A study published in 3 mentions that hearing loss is highly prevalent and may significantly affect how we age, but it does not provide specific information on women.
- Another study 4 estimates that approximately 1·6 billion individuals worldwide are affected by hearing loss, but it does not provide a breakdown by gender.
Causes and Prevention of Hearing Loss
- A systematic rapid review 4 estimates that many cases of hearing loss are preventable and can be attributed to causes such as meningitis, otitis media, congenital rubella syndrome, cytomegalovirus, and ototoxic medications.
- The study 4 suggests that prevention of these conditions should be a global health priority, but it does not provide specific information on women.
- A study on cochlear implants 5 provides information on the treatment of severe, profound, or moderate sloping to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but it does not focus on women specifically.
- Another study 6 assesses functional auditory performance in adults with bilateral severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss, but it does not provide information on women.