A recent article published by Healthy Hearing, Can menopause cause hearing loss and tinnitus, states:

It's possible that your hearing may change, or you may develop tinnitus (ringing in the ears) as you approach menopause…Sex hormone levels change during a menstrual cycle, and during menstruation, your hearing can become less sensitive…both human and animal studies have shown that low estrogen levels can impair hearing, possibly through alterations in blood flow to the cochlea, the hollow tube in the inner ear. A separate study that measured hearing and blood levels of estradiol (a form of estrogen) in 1,830 post-menopausal women found that the volunteers with less estradiol were more likely to have hearing loss.

This is invaluable information because it informs us that restoring and supporting hormone balance plays a crucial role in treating tinnitus and optimizing hearing for women.

The Role Of Hormone Balance & Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a general term that refers to a perception of sound that prevails even when no sound stimuli occur. In most cases, tinnitus occurs through a continuous buzz, hissing, or tones (like a high-pitched ringing) that rarely cease. And it’s not just estrogen levels that affect hearing.

The Healthy Hearing post adds that progesterone levels also impact estrogen cell receptors. So, while progesterone doesn’t directly interact with the cochlea, any imbalance in progesterone may reduce estrogen receptors in the cochlea, contributing to tinnitus and other hearing loss symptoms.

Recent research also shows that people with tinnitus have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. The verdict is still out on which came first - anxiety/depression/anxiety or tinnitus. Odds are they are intricately related - and now we know that female hormone (im)balance also plays a role.

Beyond PMS & Menopause

While most studies focus on women who experience irregular periods and menopause, we can think of other specific conditions that might cause hormone-related hearing loss or tinnitus, such as:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - recent studies indicate women with PCOS have higher rates of high-frequency hearing loss.
Endometriosis
Thyroid conditions that affect hormone balance
Being underweight or obese (both of which contribute to hormone imbalance
Type 2 diabetes
Autoimmune disorders

It’s no coincidence that the above diagnoses are some of the most common causes of female infertility in the United States. So, tinnitus isn’t the only reason women with hormone-related hearing loss should make acupuncture a part of their wellness plan.

Acupuncture Eases Tinnitus & Hearing Loss By Restoring Balance

Currently, most physicians treat female tinnitus using medications, anxiety-relieving exercises, and specific therapies for those who experience anxiety-related tinnitus. While the latter two may support the root cause, medications are typically used to mask or cover the symptoms of a condition without actually curing it.

Acupuncture eases tinnitus and hearing loss by treating the root cause: hormone imbalance. By using a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices, we can restore hormone balance, reduce anxiety, and provide nutrition and supplements that also treat tinnitus and hearing loss from the inside out.

Acupuncture for hormone balance

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to support healthy hormone balance and relieve the symptoms of conditions and symptoms caused by hormone imbalance. After your initial consultation, we’ll insert tiny needles, just below the skin's surface, at specific locations along meridian pathways that nourish hormone production, and assimilation, and restore healthy hormone levels.

Extra support for relaxation

We can also integrate acupressure massages to relax the nervous system further, restore energetic flow, and further support hormone health. Most clients who begin using acupressure massages for hormone balance or relaxation benefits make massages a regular part of their self-care routine.

Nutritional & supplementation support

Dr. Sharon Curhan, one of the leading researchers for studies examining women’s hormone levels and hearing loss, remarked, “We found that people who ate diets that most closely resembled the Mediterranean or DASH [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension] patterns had a substantially lower risk of hearing loss.” (Healthy Hearing).

TCM practitioners understand how vital lifestyle choices, including nutrition and targeted supplementation, are to maintaining hormone balance and overall well-being. During your appointments, we can discuss details about preventing or minimizing hormone-related hearing loss symptoms with the right nourishing foods and supplements.

Let Mitchell Family Acupuncture Restore Peace & Quiet Again

Do you suspect your tinnitus or hearing results from hormone imbalance or high anxiety/stress? Have you noticed an uptick in tinnitus before/during your period or as a result of the transition into and beyond menopause? Schedule an appointment with Mitchell Family Acupuncture. We take the time to get to know you, thoroughly review your medical and reproductive history, and create a personalized treatment approach that gets to the heart of the matter.