For many women, pregnancy is among the most miraculous times in their lives. But any mother knows it is not always glamorous. Most people are familiar with a few side effects of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, food aversions, or bloating. Less commonly discussed is the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in pregnancy. As many as 1 in 3 pregnant women will experience this. But what causes it?
As many as 1 in 3 pregnant women will experience hearing loss or tinnitus during pregnancy. But what causes it?
Stress and High Blood Pressure
We’re grouping these two causes together because they go hand-in-hand. Any mother would tell you that pregnancy is stressful. For a period of nine months, you may feel as though you can never relax. Your sleep might suffer, and you’ll feel yourself becoming more stressed as time goes on.
If you find yourself experiencing excess stress, your blood pressure will rise as a result. Numerous studies have linked hypertension with hearing loss. If you already have tinnitus, you may notice that your symptoms become exaggerated when you’re stressed out as well.
Colds and Infections
Going along with our last point, you might know that high stress and poor sleep takes a toll on your immune system. The weaker your immune system is, the more frequently you will get sick. The common cold is more common among pregnant women.
One potential symptom of a severe cold is a sinus or ear infection, which may cause your hearing to become muffled as a result. Don’t worry, though—this hearing loss is temporary.
Iron Deficiency
There is a well-established link between pregnancy and iron deficiencies. If you’re pregnant, you should compensate for this by taking supplements and eating iron-rich foods. Here are a few examples:
- Dark greens, such as spinach, chard, or kale
- Red meat
- Beans and legumes
Keep in mind you’ll want to combine these foods with vitamin C, making it easier to absorb iron into the body.
But what does this have to do with tinnitus and hearing loss in pregnancy? Although the reasons for this aren’t fully understood, scientists have discovered a correlation between iron deficiency anemia and hearing loss. More research still has to be done on this subject, but one thing’s for sure: you should watch your iron intake while pregnant!
Contact Bay Area Audiology Today
Ready to change the way you look at hearing loss? Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
You can always come into the office or contact us in advance to set up an appointment. We also provide updates on our social media websites. You can check out our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to keep up with Bay Area Audiology.
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