Anyone have hearing loss?

[Anteater]

I am 55 years old and have hearing loss - has been gradually going for at least 10 years now. The audiologist says that I am quite young to experience hearing loss but have been told that Underactive Thyroid can cause hearing loss - has anyone else had experience of hearing loss..... I also have Systemic Scleroderma and other auto immune coditions so that may also have something to do with it.

[LynnCox]

I am 42 and convinced that I have some hearing loss in my left ear, but have not had it checked out - perhaps I should. I also have autoimmune hypothyroidism and newly-diagoased Raynaud's (although I have had some symptoms for as long as I can remember).

[MaryBow]

I resonally have lost my hearing in my left ear. I'm 55 years old withraynuads,esophageal disfunction in crest sysdrome

[dojurols in reply to MaryBow]

Same here, exactly.

[Coldfeet]

Be careful this isnt a red herring and unrelated! Hearing loss is very common - I think I saw in the Times yesterday that over 50% of the population has some degree of hearing loss by 55 yrs old. Any one can easily check their hearing by doing a phone based sound test - contact the RNID - or going to see a hearing specialist via your GP. I think I read somewhere else that it typically takes 7 years for someone to start losing their hearing to acknowledging it and getting some help. In the meantime the people around the hearing impaired person mysteriously appear to become far more argumentative than they used to be......

[Anteater in reply to Coldfeet]

I do not think this is a red herring !!!!! I know a couple of other people that have hearing loss as well that have Scleroderma and other auto-immune conditions. But, I think the main culprit is Hypothyroidism. Hearing loss does not run in my family that is why the audiologist suggested that it may be connected to the auto-immune diseases. Apparently, the hearing loss in one ear is not good and is relevant to a 70 year old so this is not natural hearing loss.

[Biancasmom]

Dr. Want to put my 6 yr.old daughter on sidinefil(Viagra) for systemic scleroderm&raynauds. But said it can cause hearing loss.so I am reluctant

To put her on it. If that is one of your meeds. Maybe that is the cause.

[Anteater in reply to Biancasmom]

I am very sad that your very young daughter has got Scleroderma and Raynauds must be awful for her. Sidinefil is very good - I would think that your daughter will be on it for a short period.... I have taken Sidinefil but it is not that has caused my hearing loss. My Consultant Audiologist thinks it may be auto immune hearing loss - my last visit she said that she has a few paitients with auto immune conditions that have hearing loss and says thet there may be a connection. All meds have side effects but we have to take them to help us... Agree they could cause other problems ... All best wished for your daughter and please let us kpw how she gets on xxxxxx.

[overnighthearingloss]

I suffered sudden sensorineural hearing loss in my right ear overnight almost 2 years ago. I had NEVER previously had any ear problems at all. My hearing was excellent previously.

Prior to my hearing loss, I was taking sildenafil 50mg 3x day, Hydroxychloroquine, Ramipril, Lansoprazole, and Asprin, as part of my daily medications. All of these drugs can potentially cause problems with hearing. The chances may be increased further if these drugs are taken in combination.

Prior to my hearing loss I had previously been treated with iloprost for finger ulcers. I have recently had a reoocurence and have been offered iloprost again.

But these days I am very aware of drug ototoxicity. Iloprost has been mentioned in connection with sensorineural hearing loss. There was a case in Turkey that a report mentions.

I have sensorineural hearing loss and have been told my hearing will not return in the affected ear. It makes me anxious whenever I am faced with the prospect of any extra drug and I may decide to forego the iloprost this time.

There is a new hearing solution that people need to be aware of. Its called the SOUNDBITE. Not yet available in the UK but it could be a welcome alternative to a bone anchored hearing aid, which is presently the suggested answer for sensorineural loss. Read about it and mention it to your medical team. Hopefully it will then be made available in the UK.