by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
A man wrote:
I recently was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). I have also been noticing an increased hearing loss. My doctor tells me that there is a connection between hypothyroidism and hearing loss, but I haven’t had other symptoms associated with the problem such as fatigue, lethargy and weight gain. I have also checked the Internet and found similar references to hearing loss. My doctor has put me on the lowest possible dose of Thyroxine and will be monitoring me every six weeks until the proper dosage is established. My main question to you is whether or not Thyroxine is considered an Ototoxic drug. Will stopping the Hypothyroidism, which is assumed to be contributing to my continued hearing loss, only cause more hearing loss because of the medication?
You can set your mind at rest. As far as I can tell neither Thyroxine (a natural hormone) nor Levothyroxine (Synthroid) (a synthetic drug) are ototoxic in any way.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is too little thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Numerous medications can affect thyroid production.
Hypothyroidism is commonly linked with hearing loss. In fact, “about half of the people with low thyroid function have hearing losses. Moreover, about 3% of the people with Meniere’s syndrome have hypothyroidism; and in some, control of the thyroid disease eliminates the symptoms of Meniere’s syndrome.” (1)
Both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss can result from hypothyroidism. So can tinnitus and vertigo. Doctors believe that things such as serous otitis media (middle ear infections), edema and swelling of the nerves may contribute to hearing loss in hypothyroidism. (1) Hearing loss is also a common symptom of Pendred’s syndrome, another thyroid-related disease.
__________________
(1) http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/hearingloss/HL_conditions.html
After a year of being misdiagnosed as having “acid reflux” they discovered a benign thyroid mass (3.5″ x 2.5″ x 1.5″)with two nodules that has been causing hoarseness and cough deviating my trachea forward. TSH and T4 are normal. My hearing has gotten worse wearing two hearing aids. They said I need surgery. Trying to get into a endocrinologist but appt date is after the surgical date. Don’t know what to do. Surgeon said he would only remove half of it. Will thyroid meds help my hearing loss now?
Hi Rose:
I can’t answer your question. I don’t have enough information on your situation.
From what little you say, your thyroid is working properly, so why would you attribute your hearing loss to your thyroid?
Regards
Neil
See 300 HYPOTHYROIDISM SYMPTOMS count how many you have at
https://hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypothyroidism-symptoms-count-how-many-you-have/
I have found that my hearing loss mainly comes when I am under to much stress and it effects my balance terribly for a couple of days I cannot go to far or anywhere away from my home at all. Some times I get very scared and feel as though I am going to pass out . Have heard of thyromine, can you tell me if this can help me Nd can. Get some in the uk
Hi Christine:
You need to ask your doctor that question. He can test your thyroid levels to see if you are low on Thyroxine.
Regards
Neil
I have recently been diagnosed hypothyroidism and it was my hearing loss that resulted in me getting this diagnosed. Now that I am on Thyroxine will my hearing recover over time?
Regards
Crawford
Hi Crawford:
Good question. Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that one, but I’d be hopeful that it will help your hearing, and certainly it will help prevent further hearing loss.
Regards
Neil
Hi everyone. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism since I was 12 years of age. I have taken thyroid medication off and on since I was diagnosed, quitting the medication Levothyroxine due to several symptoms every single time. One thing I have noticed is that even while on Levothyroxine, My Hormone levels do not go back to normal, and as for HEARING LOSS… I only lose my hearing about 8 weeks into using my medication. Once I quit the medication, my hearing goes back to normal.
In my personal opinion, you should let your doctor know as many symptoms that you’re having as possible. It could be the medication you are on, as well as the dose, AND the foods, beverages you consume, and levels of activity you are apart of while on the medications. It is a VERY touchy illness and must be surveyed honestly, and very well, so that in the future there might be a better solution to these multiple symptoms we have.
One more thing is to talk to people to see what they think of the doctor you are visiting. Not every doctor will meet the same requirements ro earn certification (whatever the reason may be)… your doctor might not be experienced/ specialize as much in the medical field of our diagnosis.
Appetite, Activity, Dosage, Experience, Symptoms (AADES)… remember this.
hi, i am 43 years old ..its been 7 years since i start using hearing aids ..unfortunately my hearing loss is progressing ..2 months ago i suffered from insomnia, palpitation and severe hair loss(actually hair loss started many years ago but went so severe few years ago)..i did some investigations and found antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies soo high as 700s and 800s..while my thyroid readings are normal ..any connection with hearing loss ??
Hi Maha:
Sorry, I can’t help you there. Remember, I’m not a medical doctor and don’t get into that aspect of things.
Cordially,
Neil
I have a question about the opposite. Can ear problems actually cause thyroiditis or hypothyroidism? I’ve read that bacterial infections can cause hypothyroidism, but I’ve found very little on ear infections specifically. Years ago, when I was babysitting, a child put a cap gun right up to my left ear and pulled the trigger. About ten years later, I had a very bad ear infection in that same ear. It was extremely painful. It wasn’t long after that when my doctor diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and prescribed levothyroxine. I’ve been on the same dose, 50 mcg, for over a decade now and have never had the swinging from hyper to hypo or the variable TSH as seen in Hashimoto’s. I’ve had thyroid antibodies tested once, and they were negative. I wonder if the cap gun incident made my left ear more vulnerable to the ear infection and contributed to its severity, and I wonder if that ear infection may have led to thyroiditis that eventually resulted in hypothyroidism. I don’t recall having many, if any, symptoms leading up to the hypothyroidism diagnosis. Thanks for any and all information you can provide.
Hi Sarah:
I’ve never heard of ear problems causing thyroid problems, but then, I’m not an expert on thyroid problems in any way.
Exposing your ear to loud sounds (the cap gun) can permanently affect your hearing and damage underlying structures in the inner ear. However, I don’t see how it would make your ear more susceptible to infections. I think the two are unrelated.
A “bug” that causes an infection in one organ (your ears) could possibly cause problems in other organs (such as your thyroid). But I don’t know how likely that would be. As I said, I’m not an expert on this so really can’t answer you question with any authority.
Cordially,
Neil