Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hearing Loss

Our bodies can be very complicated to understand, and it’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause of what you’re experiencing. When it comes to hearing loss, there are a number of reasons why you might be experiencing it, Rheumatoid Arthritis is a possibility. There are things that can happen within the body that have a direct link to hearing loss and arthritis affects the body in a way that can cause that. It’s due to the way that your ears function, and what they need in order to function correctly – so if there’s anything somewhere else in the body that affects that, you can experience hearing loss as a result.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which joints in your body might be experiencing stiffness and soreness. It can become harder to put weight and properly use your joints, making it necessary to seek medicinal help. While there are medications to help with this condition, it is often a long-term problem that may continue to cause you pain for an extended duration. While it’s not easily solved, the medications that are available can do a great job in helping to relieve the pain.

Stiffness and soreness are not the only symptoms and you may also experience swelling in your joints too, along with high temperatures and tiredness without cause. You should make sure that if you experience these symptoms, you see a doctor immediately – as even if they pass, they may come back later on. Always have things treated as soon as possible to ensure the best results.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is something that can come in many different forms, and there are a number of symptoms you should make sure you are aware of. You could have been experiencing hearing loss for weeks without noticing it, as they’re not always going to be easy to pick up on. There are also a number of different causes that can lead to hearing loss, so you should never expect to be exempt from the experience.

No matter your age, you should still pay attention to whether or not you’re having difficulty hearing people, you have muffling in your ears when trying to listen to things or a ringing. Even if it’s quiet, a ringing in your ears can become much more serious if you leave it untreated.

How They Are Linked

While they might seem like they have absolutely nothing to do with each other, and technically they don’t. It’s not the joint pain itself that can cause hearing loss, but rather how the tissue and joints are affected physically that can cause hearing loss. Arthritis can affect the tissue within your ear, causing your ears to be deprived of what they need to be completely functional. It’s important to know, however, that it is incredibly rare to experience hearing loss as a result of arthritis itself, and that sometimes arthritis medication can be the cause.

Arthritis Medication

So why might the medication cause damage to your hearing? Well, some medications can affect your blood flow. Arthritis is usually treated with pain relievers to make it easier for you to use your joints without the pain from the stiffness and soreness, but those drugs can affect how your ears function too. Studies have shown that overuse of pain relievers can lead to a loss of hearing later on, and you may even experience a ringing in your ears some weeks into your arthritis treatment. It’s not always easy to figure out the correct dosage and limits for your body, as everyone is different and responds in different ways.

What You Should Do

If you’re dealing with arthritis and are starting to see signs that you might be experiencing hearing loss, firstly, do not be alarmed. When hearing loss is caused by something like pain relievers, it can be reversible – meaning that you should consult someone who can help to test and treat you. Seeing an audiologist means getting an opinion from someone whose studies are focused on hearing and hearing health. If you have any hearing health concerns, an audiologist can have you tested and help you decide on the best course of action when it comes to treating your hearing health.

Your health should always come first, so you should never hesitate if you have concerns about your health. If you would like to know more about how your hearing health might be affected or want to learn about the Advanced Hearing of Brighton, you can call us at 810-355-2245.