The Link Between Thyroid Health and Hearing

When most people think about thyroid health, they think about metabolism, weight changes, or energy levels. But the thyroid affects much more than that, including your hearing.

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, nerve function, and cellular energy, all of which support the auditory system, from the inner ear (cochlea) to the brain’s sound-processing centers (K Munjal, 2017). When hormone levels are too low or too high, this system can be disrupted.

Hypothyroidism and Hearing Loss

Hypothyroidism is the most associated thyroid condition with hearing problems (Gu et al., 2024).

People with untreated or chronic hypothyroidism may experience:

• Sensorineural or conductive hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Difficulty understanding speech in noise

Autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, may also contribute to hearing changes. In some cases, autoimmune activity may affect the inner ear and has been linked to autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), a rare cause of progressive hearing loss (Bovo et al., 2019).

Hyperthyroidism and Auditory Symptoms

Hyperthyroidism can also affect hearing, though less commonly than hypothyroidism. Elevated hormone levels may alter circulation, increase metabolic stress in auditory cells, and contribute to tinnitus or hearing loss (K Munjal, 2017).

Balance and the Vestibular System

The inner ear controls both hearing and balance. Some people with thyroid disorders report vertigo, dizziness, or spatial disorientation. These symptoms may result from metabolic or neurophysiological disruptions affecting the vestibular system (Ibraheem et al., 2025).

Implications for Treatment and Management

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues, especially alongside fatigue, mood changes, temperature sensitivity, or unexplained weight changes, consider both a hearing assessment and discussing a thyroid evaluation with you physician.

Routine hearing evaluations can help identify hearing loss early, allowing for timely interventions, such as hearing devices, which can significantly enhance quality of life.

If you or a loved one have a thyroid condition and/or difficulty hearing,  schedule an appointment today for a diagnostic hearing assessment or a hearing aid consultation/evaluation.

References

1. Bovo, R., Ciorba, A., & Martini, A. (2009). The diagnosis of autoimmune inner ear disease: Evidence and critical pitfalls. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology: Official Journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS): Affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 266(1), 37–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0801-y
2. Gu L, Guo W, Wang X, Yue C. The association between thyroid disease and hearing loss: a meta-analysis. Acta Otolaryngol. 2024 Sep;144(9):495-502. Doi: 10.1080/00016489.2024.2404614
3. Ibraheem, O., Elfatah, A., Badawi, N., & Elnabtity, N. (2025). Assessment of Vestibular Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Complaining of Dizziness. Zagazig University Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.21608/zumj.2025.436663.4289
4. K Munjal, S. (2017). Audiological Profile in Patients with Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. Journal of Otolaryngology-ENT Research, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.15406/joentr.2017.06.00156