Studies indicate that men are twice as likely to develop hearing loss as women, especially those between the ages of 20-69. One of the many possible explanations for this difference involves the “female sex hormone” estradiol, which is found in both men and women. In women, estradiol functions as a growth hormone for tissues of the reproductive organs and plays a critical role in sexual development. In men, the hormone is generated in testosterone by aromatase, a protein which is found throughout the male reproductive system. Estradiol is also known to affect other organs. Of particular interest to hearing specialists is a study showing that estradiol exerts a protective effect on the female auditory system, which declines with menopause.
Even when men and women experience hearing loss equally, typically after the age of 80, there are still evident differences. Women seem to lose hearing in the lower frequencies first while men lose hearing in the higher frequencies. To schedule a consultation, please call EAR & HEARING CLINIC. As registered members of the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario, we are among the highest qualified regulated hearing health care professionals in Canada. “Hear the Sound of Life.”
