There are many conditions that can go in tandem with hearing loss; this is just one of the many ways in which hearing loss can affect someone’s daily life. If you are keen to understand this as deeply as possible, then there are actually quite a few conditions in particular that you might want to be aware of. In this post, we are going to be looking specifically at the relationship between osteoporosis and hearing loss and how they tend to operate together.
As it happens, there is a lot that is known about this and some which is not, so we are going to take a look at everything that we know as best as we can. You might find that by the end, you feel much more clued up about both hearing loss and osteoporosis, which can be helpful if you are experiencing the symptoms of either of these or even if you just know someone who is.
What is Osteoporosis?
So, let’s start with osteoporosis itself. What exactly is it? Essentially, it is a disease of the bones, resulting in low bone mineral density. The result over time is that the bones become much more fragile. At the same time, they become porous, and the combination of these two factors means that they are much more likely to shatter into bone fractures. One of the interesting effects of osteoporosis that is particularly important for our discussion here is that it also affects the three bones of the middle ear.
Who Can Get Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is an extremely common condition, affecting millions every year. In truth, anyone can be affected by the condition, although there is something of a correlation between old age and osteoporosis.
Because it is so common, the treatment is quite advanced too, and it is generally about ensuring that the bones are being watched over and fixed where necessary. There are also medications designed to help strengthen the bones.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
While losing bone density is actually just a normal part of aging, for some people, it will happen quicker, and this can be due to a wide variety of circumstances. Women are generally at higher risk of osteoporosis compared to men because they tend to lose bone density after menopause. But that is not to say it doesn’t also affect men and even children.
There are many other factors that can increase the chances of osteoporosis developing, such as taking steroids, having an inflammatory condition of some kind, or if there is a long family history of osteoporosis. Also, it is more likely for someone who has had an eating disorder or generally has a low BMI. Finally, it’s more likely if you drink or smoke heavily or don’t exercise enough.
The Relationship Between Osteoporosis and Hearing Loss
So, what is the nature of the link between osteoporosis and hearing loss? As it happens, this is quite a well-known link that you are going to want to be aware of, especially if you know that you have osteoporosis already or that you are prone to it for one reason or another.
Specifically, the relationship is that osteoporosis can actually make you more likely to develop hearing loss too. In fact, it is actually quite a strong link between the two. Osteoporosis affects the density of all bones, including the three in the middle ear, that help with hearing and balance. When these bones become damaged in this way, they fail to properly transmit the sound from the outer ear to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss.
Most studies that have been conducted on this have found a strong correlation between osteoporosis, aging and hearing loss, meaning that there is a strong chance of them going together.
Treatment
We saw above that osteoporosis can be treated mostly by fixing the bones when they get damaged, and by taking medication that is designed to strengthen the bones. So, this is the kind of treatment that you might be getting if you have this condition. At the same time, you will want to make sure that you are getting treatment for your hearing loss, if it occurs.
Usually, that will come in the form of hearing aids or something similar. For that, it is always best to speak to an audioHow to Find an Audiologistlogist, as they will know what you need. Get in touch today with Professional Hearing Solutions at (386) 265-4769 if you’re concerned you may be developing hearing loss.
