PsA and Hearing Sensitivity
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 also find it painful to sit for extended periods of time?
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