Between the ages of 20 and 69, men are twice as likely as women to develop speech-frequency hearing loss. While it is not known why women tend to be protected from hearing loss, some studies have suggested that the female hormone estrogen may protect the inner ear. Estrogen is known to affect the cells in several parts of the human body, such as the heart, brain, and blood vessels. Additionally, in the women that are affected by hearing loss, this tends to be more prevalent after menopause – a further reason to believe that these sex hormones play a role in hearing loss.

This has led some researchers to believe that hormone replacement therapy would lower the risk of hearing loss. However, other studies have challenged this hypothesis, also pointing to the serious side effects of hormone therapy (HT). The study analyzed existing data on almost 81,000 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study II, making this research the first large-scale study to examine the use of HT in relation to hearing loss among menopausal and postmenopausal women.

The women were aged between 27 and 44 years at the beginning of the study, and they were clinically followed for 22 years between 1991 and 2013. During this time, the women self-reported on their hearing loss and use of oral HT. Nearly 23 percent of the participants reported some degree of hearing loss during the follow-up period. The HT taken by the participants consisted of either estrogen therapy or estrogen plus progestogen. The study found that the use of oral HT in postmenopausal women, as a well as a prolonged use of oral HT, correlated with a higher risk of hearing loss. This association surprised the researchers, and the causal mechanisms behind it remain unknown.

Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medications.

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