Hearing health
Understanding your hearing
Why early treatment matters, signs in adults and children, and auditory rehabilitation.
Hearing health
Hearing & whole-person health
Hearing health and overall health are connected. Bring hearing into the conversation about your wellbeing.
It is not uncommon for hearing to be affected by other medical conditions, and vice versa. When conditions occur at the same time they are called comorbidities. The research below describes links (associations) — it does not mean one condition causes another. Only a hearing evaluation and your own medical team can explain your situation.
Autism & auditory processing
What research suggests
Research suggests autistic children may be more likely than non-autistic children to have an auditory processing disorder, which makes it harder to discern and organize sounds.
A question for your care team
How can the evaluation be adapted to my child’s communication and sensory needs?
Anemia
What research suggests
In a large study of adults, iron-deficiency anemia was associated with sensorineural hearing loss and with combined hearing loss.
A question for your care team
Should I mention an anemia diagnosis when we discuss changes in my hearing?
Cardiovascular health
What research suggests
Research indicates that cardiovascular health can affect both the peripheral and the central parts of the auditory system.
A question for your care team
How can my hearing care team coordinate with my other healthcare providers?
Chemotherapy
What research suggests
Research suggests that platinum-based chemotherapy drugs may cause hearing loss in some patients.
A question for your care team
Does my treatment plan include monitoring my hearing during and after treatment?
Chronic kidney disease
What research suggests
Studies have found hearing loss is reported more often by people with moderate chronic kidney disease than by people without kidney problems.
A question for your care team
Which parts of my health history and medication list should I bring to my appointment?
Cognitive health & dementia
What research suggests
Hearing loss in older adults is associated with cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia. Researchers are still studying how the two are connected.
A question for your care team
How can we make communication with family and healthcare providers easier?
Cystic fibrosis
What research suggests
Studies have reported sensorineural hearing loss in some people with cystic fibrosis, often affecting both ears.
A question for your care team
Should my care team discuss hearing monitoring when reviewing my treatment history?
Diabetes
What research suggests
Hearing loss is more common among people with diabetes. One possible reason is that high blood glucose can damage the small blood vessels of the inner ear.
A question for your care team
How should I include hearing changes in conversations about my diabetes care?
Depression
What research suggests
Multiple studies have found a link between untreated hearing loss and depression.
A question for your care team
Who can support me if communication difficulties are affecting my wellbeing?
Hearing aids & quality of life
What research suggests
People who treat their hearing loss with hearing aids report improvements in relationships at home, feelings about themselves, mental health, self-confidence, independence and sense of safety.
A question for your care team
What changes in daily communication would help us evaluate my hearing solution?
Hypertension & stress
What research suggests
People with high blood pressure may have an increased risk of developing hearing loss and tinnitus.
A question for your care team
What hearing or tinnitus changes should I discuss with my care team?
Falls & hospitalizations
What research suggests
Research has linked even mild hearing loss to a higher risk of falls, and the risk appears to grow as hearing loss increases.
A question for your care team
Are hearing and balance concerns part of my broader safety assessment?
Weight & overall health
What research suggests
Research shows an association between obesity (a body mass index of 30 or higher) and hearing loss.
A question for your care team
How can I include hearing in my routine health discussions?
Sleep apnea
What research suggests
A large study found that people with sleep apnea were more likely to have both high-frequency and low-frequency hearing loss.
A question for your care team
Should I share a sleep apnea diagnosis with my audiologist?
Speech recognition & the brain
What research suggests
Understanding speech depends on the ears and on how the brain processes sound. That is why a full evaluation includes speech testing as well as tone testing.
A question for your care team
How will my evaluation look at both hearing levels and understanding speech?
Smoking
What research suggests
Studies have found that smokers, and people regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, are more likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers.
A question for your care team
What should my audiologist know about current or past tobacco exposure?
Questions? We’re here to help.
Connect with our team for guidance about your care or your family’s next steps.
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