10 Surprising Medical Causes of Hearing Loss

There are many diseases and conditions that can cause hearing loss even though they are not obviously connected to the ear. Listed below in alphabetical order are some of the more common diseases and conditions unrelated to the ear that affect hearing:

1. DIABETES:  researchers have found that patients with diabetes have more hearing loss than people who do not have diabetes. The National Institute of Health found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes than people without it. People with prediabetes also have a higher incidence of hearing loss.

2. HERPES ZOSTER:  also known as shingles. When it affects the ear, the virus can cause facial paralysis, dizziness and hearing loss. The hearing loss is a nerve loss and can range from mild to severe.

3. HYPERTENSION:  High blood pressure can harden arteries and several studies have shown that hypertension is associated with increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss.

4. HYPOTHYROIDISM:  hypothyroidism can be present at birth or can develop later in life. Once the hearing loss is present, it can't be reversed through thyroid hormone replacement and it's always sensorineural in nature.

5. LYME DISEASE: the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can also cause sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud sound). Patients with these symptoms in Lyme-endemic areas should be tested for the infection since treatment with antibiotics can help reverse them.

6. MEASLES: vaccinations have helped to nearly eliminate measles as a cause of hearing loss, but a few cases are still reported every year. The measles virus was once the cause of 10% of deafness in newborns.

7. MENINGITIS:  meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord and can cause hearing loss. The CDC estimates there are between 3000 and 6000 cases each year in the US. The incidence has been reduced due to vaccinations that are now available.

8. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS): sensorineural hearing loss occurs in about 6% of people with MS. They hearing loss is due to inflammation in the brain stem and cochlear nerve. The hearing loss is rarely severe and can sometimes be reversed if the inflammation is controlled.

9. MUMPS: mumps is a swelling of the salivary glands between the ear and the jaw and can cause a permanent sensorineural hearing loss in one year. Mumps was thought to be completely eradicated, but recently there has been a resurgence of cases.

10. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): there is some disagreement as to whether RA can cause hearing loss, but recent research shows that between 30 and 40% of patients with RA will exhibit some degree of hearing loss.

While many of these conditions listed about lead to non-reversible  permanent hearing loss, some of the conditions can be prevented through basic lifestyle changes. By keeping a healthy weight and eating a sensible diet and staying physically active, you can reduce your risk of hypertension and diabetes. Also you should keep your immunizations up-to-date and seek early treatment of diseases that could lead to hearing loss.

For more information on health and hearing loss, go to www.hearinghealthmag.com for the full article.