Is There a Link Between Arthritis, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus?

Woman getting a hearing text; link between arthritis, hearing loss and tinnitus concept

According to Arthritis.org, people with arthritis can experience hearing loss and tinnitus for two reasons: due to the arthritis itself and due to the high levels of aspirin and other medications they take.

In addition to reducing blood flow to the inner ear, acetaminophen may reduce a protein that protects the inner ear from damage. Sometimes, lowering the amount or frequency of your arthritis medications, or even changing to another medication entirely, can reverse hearing loss.

Other "medications known to cause tinnitus include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial drugs and antidepressants," according to Mayo Clinic.

It's not just the meds, though. Older people who've had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for years may experience tinnitus too, say rheumatologist Judith Frank. That's because the inflammation associated with RA can damage the tiny joints in the ear (in addition to the problems caused by the medications themselves).

In fact, any autoimmune disease can be linked to hearing loss and tinnitus, not just rheumatoid arthritis, but those like lupus, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. What's tricky about pinpointing the cause of your tinnitus to an autoimmune disease is that those disorders can go into remission after a flare up that caused the hearing problem.

One study shows that "sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common type of hearing impairment in RA patients ranging from 25% to 72%." SNHL is hearing loss caused by damage to the hair cells within the cochlea or inner ear, and approximately 70% of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss experience tinnitus.

Try Eargasm Earplus

Comments

Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus?

The short answer is: Yes, allergies can cause tinnitus. Hearing loss, too. Allergy-related tinnitus is typically due to the congestion that allergies cause. Anything from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) to sinus infections increases the risk of developing tinnitus. Basically anything that affects the nasal and sinus passages can lead to tinnitus. That's because when allergies affect the nasal passages and sinuses, they can cause inflammation and swelling, leading to congestion and pressure changes in the ear. This pressure change can lead to tinnitus. Allergy meds can be a problem too Tinnitus can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat allergies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. These medications can potentially cause tinnitus as a side effect, especially when taken in high doses. Other causes of tinnitus In addition to allergies, there are several other causes of tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an underl

Medications Can Worsen Tinnitus Symptoms

Some common medications can actually heighten the ringing and whistling noises in your head and ears. Tinnitus sufferers have found this out to their dismay, and warn others to be wary of large dosages (in excess of 600 mg) of Ibuprofen, for instance, and even to be careful when taking aspirin. In fact, there are people who insist that certain medications don't just make the condition worse, but can actually cause tinnitus. If you have tinnitus and are also taking antibiotics or other medications (even over-the-counter meds) for any medical condition -- running the gamut from arthritis to clinical depression (Prozac's frequently cited) -- let your doctor know. You should also monitor yourself with a daily record of medicines taken and tinnitus levels. You might be surprised to learn that some items known to worsen tinnitus include toothpastes (especially for sensitive gums), antacid tablets, Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and Pepcid. Click here for a comprehensive list o

Try Saline When Your Hearing Is Muffled After Loud Noise Exposure

If you've got temporary hearing loss or tinnitus after being at a loud concert or sports event, you may be able to fix it -- if you act fast. A 2021 Keck Medicine of USC study published in Science Daily has found that the nerve damage to the inner ear caused by loud noises is basically a build up of fluids. Treating that "fluid buildup with a readily available saline solution lessened nerve damage in the inner ear." A previous study by the same otolaryngologist showed that inner ear fluid level is not affected until noises reach 100 decibels, which is how loud a motorcycle is. "When researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestions in humans, into affected ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented." The benefits of this knowledge are twofold: 1. If fluid buildup can be measured,

Tinnitus Help - Stop the Ringing in Your Ears

Search This Blog