PsA and Hearing Sensitivity

By Vickie Wilkerson

3 min read

Psoriatic arthritis causes immune-related inflammation that can affect more than just the joints. For example, an inflammatory eye condition—uveitis—is a well-known complication of psoriatic arthritis. It affects up to 25% of people with the disease.¹

Doctors can't say precisely how psoriatic arthritis causes hearing loss, but they hypothesize the mechanism could be this same immune-related inflammation.

The connection between hearing and inflammation

Studies have looked at hearing in people with psoriatic arthritis. Researchers have found that hearing loss is more common in psoriatic arthritis patients than those without the disease.² It's likely that immune-related inflammation damages the inner ear in people with psoriatic arthritis.

This damage can lead to hearing loss and balance problems. So, controlling inflammation may go a long way in protecting your hearing if you have psoriatic arthritis. Work with your doctor to find the most effective treatment for your psoriatic arthritis.

Are your ears ringing?

I have a dear friend that loses her hearing when the inflammation gets too bad. It put pressure on her eardrums until she could no longer hear. She now depends on hearing aids and reading peoples' lips to hear what someone is saying to her.

While I am blessed to still have my hearing, I pay closer attention to it now. I never really thought about it before I met her. Hearing was just one of the many things I took for granted before psoriatic arthritis came into my life.

Let's be honest. I am getting on up there in years. I keep seeing more and more ads for hearing aids on television. While I am glad that these devices are available, that does not mean I want to have them. I know many people when they get older, tend to lose their hearing.

I have constant ringing in my ears, especially after taking my medication. I plan to have a discussion with my doctor about the ringing when I see him next month.

One more doc to add to the list

I am noticing more and more that loud sounds have been irritating my ears. My husband usually has the television tured up so loud that it hurts my ears. I have to hide behind him and turn it down to a level I can stand.

My two-year-old granddaughter is like any child of that age. She thinks it's cute to let out a loud screech from time to time. Of course, that always leads to grumbling from him, but I would rather have that than the pain. The pain comes flooding into my ears like a tidal wave. Loud music is just as bad. The list goes on and on.

I feel like I may need to make an appointment. I am only five years younger than my husband, who is saying he wants to have his own ears checked. If you have been through this, did it simply take getting your hearing checked to determine the problem?

Maybe I should set us up an appointment together. After all, we as psoriatics often go to the doctor or doctors. What is one more doctor to add to the list?

Do you have experience with inflammation-related hearing loss?

Honestly, I feel like I am alone in this. It worries me. Have you had trouble with your hearing? Has it been attributed to psoriatic arthritis? Should hearing loss or sensitivity be added to the growing list of comorbidities that psoriatic arthritis can bring?

I'm not looking for another condition, but I want to make sure I follow up on everything I think is a possible problem. Sharing your experiences or story with me will help and maybe help others as well. That is all I can hope for at this point.

This or That

Do you know what type(s) of psoriatic arthritis you have?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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rosah Member
You are not alone! I don't have the ringing in my ears but everything else you said fits me too. Loud noises have hurt my ears for years. Kids screeching, loud music, extremely loud mufflers on cars going past our house. And now my ears have started itching so bad they are making me crazy. My doctor said to put cortisone on a Q-tip and use it to coat the ear canal. I am thinking I will make an appointment to have them checked soon because I miss a lot of words said if I can't see faces. Is this another comorbidity of PsA? Rosah
1. rosah Member
 <inline-mention username="Lori.Foster" user-id="3297576"/> , Thanks for explaining the difference. So far I am still not diagnosed but I do have a couple of my doctors taking a second look at some of my issues. Why is it so hard for them to say "this might be PsA. We need to take a closer look."? If it was chest pains, they would be checking my heart out. Anyway, I have appts with Dermatology in August and Rheumatology in December. I will let you know what they say. My podiatrist was concerned yesterday about bumps under my toes. ???
2. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="rosah" user-id="4247255"/>. The waiting game can be horribly frustrating. I wish the diagnostic process was easier and that doctors were more familiar with diseases like PsA. You really have to be your own advocate. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Hopefully, you will get answers and relief soon. I look forward to hearing from you again. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
brightzyd Member
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been having some low constant ringing in my ears and sometimes it gets quite loud and high pitched for a few seconds. I mentioned it to my primary doctor and he said to try not to think about it unless i have other symptoms. I do notice that I have a hard time hearing compared to before my diagnosis. I tend to also watch things with subtitles whenever i can because sometimes it’s hard for me to catch the words, and i dont like to turn up the volume too much. I don’t know if it is related to PsA but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s somehow connected to the chronic inflammation… 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="brightzyd" user-id="4555558"/>. It's certainly worth investigating. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could eliminate that ringing for good? Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
Ails Member
I was diagnosed last year with moderate hearing loss and Hyperacusis which is the hearing sensitivity in your article. I feel a sharp pain when my daughter screeches or when I hear high pitched beeps. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis 2 months ago but now my rheumatologist says he can't be 100% about my diagnosis as steroid tablets didn't work for me and my back movement was better at my 2nd appt. If I do have PsA I believe my hearing problems are related if that is any help 
1. Ails Member
 <inline-mention username="Jill.Brodie" user-id="3290804"/> Thanks Jill I actually went to that rheumatologist as he deals with ehler danlos syndrome and joint hypermobility syndrome. I wasn't looking for another diagnosis but I will see what happens 
2. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Ails" user-id="4738905"/>. Are you being evaluated for EDS as well? I understand your desire for a diagnosis. It's not like you WANT to have PsA or EDS, but a diagnosis would be a relief in that it would allow for treatment that might ease your pain and maybe help with your other medical issues. I hope you continue to advocate for yourself even if this doctor can't figure it out. Warmest of wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
brightzyd Member
I found an older article with info from audiologist, with tips on getting tested: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/audiologist-hearing-loss
Mary Lynn Member
 Thanks for the info. I'll be forwarding this to my older sister. About 4 years ago she lost most of her hearing in both ears, likely due to inflammation. For a time she was treated with high doses of oral steroids and steroid shots into her ears. She now has hearing aides. My sister does not like to follow up with doctors so has not returned to the rheumatologist but I suspect that she has PsA. In addition to her hearing loss, she gets the "sausage fingers", has a lot of hip pain, and an unhappy GI tract. I have PsA. Two of our cousins have axial spondylitis. Because of the information I have gotten in this community, I am paying attention to my hearing. I find noisy restaurants to be very uncomfortable. Sometimes my ears feel full. And Vickie, your husband and mine should watch TV together! Oh, the racket LOL I too turn down the volume when the husband isn't paying attention 😀 
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 Hi @Mary Lynn. I am glad you found relevance in the article. I had to chuckle when you said our husbands should watch TV together. I really wondered if I was being over-sensitive. I know I will be having my hearing checked soon now. Please come back and let us know what your sister thinks about the article as well. I love when my articles are shared. Thank you. Vickie W., Team Member
Diane T Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Vickie Wilkerson" user-id="3316344"/> , This is a great article!! So much great information. This explains so much that I didn't know. I will share this with the community. Diane (Team Member)
Jennsbackstube Member
I’m wondering the same thing. I was diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago and my sensitivity to noise is getting worse. Certain tones seem to vibrate and make it uncomfortable to hear so I have to lower the volume. Heading for follow up content with Rheumatologist today so I’ll bring that up as well.

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