Researchers are constantly looking to learn more about which disorders can increase a patient’s likelihood of developing hearing loss. Research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has linked a bone disorder called osteoporosis with hearing loss.
Understanding Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens or thins the bones. When bones are brittle, a minor stressor such as bending over to pick up litter in Sam Houston Park can cause a fracture. Fractures of the wrist, hip or spine are the most common injury with this condition.
Older post-menopausal women are most at risk of developing osteoporosis, although it can affect people of all ages and genders. Osteoporosis occurs when your body is unable to produce new bone at the same rate it breaks down. As you age, the rate of how fast your body creates new bone decreases.
Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain, loss of height, bad posture and bones that break more easily than expected.
Hormone levels, dietary factors, steroid usage, certain medical conditions and lifestyle choices can all impact your chance of developing this bone disorder. Practicing good nutrition and exercising regularly can help keep your bones healthy throughout your life. Medical treatment in the form of bisphosphonates, monoclonal antibody medication, hormone-related therapy and bone-building medications are available. Your doctor will recommend the right treatment for you depending on the results of your bone density test.
Hearing Loss Link
Dr. Kai-Jen Tien of the Chi Mei Medical Center in Taiwan was the lead author of “Increased Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients With Osteoporosis: A Population-based, Propensity Score-matched, Longitudinal Follow-Up Study.” He and his team reviewed the medical records of 10,660 Taiwan residents who were diagnosed with osteoporosis between 1999 and 2008 and well as 31,980 control patients without the condition.
The team determined that those with osteoporosis had a 1.76 times higher risk of developing sudden hearing loss than those without bone disease.
A 2018 study looked at data collected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. A total of 68,241 patients with osteoporosis were compared to the same number of individuals without the disease. The researchers determined that there was a greater risk of sudden sensory neural hearing loss in the patients with osteoporosis as compared to the control group.
Why Think Connection Matters
Like most medical conditions, the treatment for hearing loss works best if started early. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, now is the time to schedule a hearing test.
To learn more about available treatment options for hearing loss or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, contact Hearing Systems today.