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Hormones and Hearing: Central Auditory Processing in Women.
Skylar Trott1, Trey Cline2, Jeffrey Weihing3
1University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|November 22, 2018
Summary
Postmenopausal women experience central auditory processing deficits, including impaired spatial hearing and slower auditory nerve responses, despite normal peripheral hearing. This highlights the impact of estrogen decline on auditory function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Estrogen plays a role in the human brain, influencing central auditory processing.
- Postmenopausal women often report hearing loss without peripheral deficits, suggesting central auditory system involvement.
- Limited human research exists on estrogen's impact on hearing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hormonal changes and higher auditory functions in pre- and postmenopausal females.
- To evaluate the effect of estrogen levels on central auditory processing in women.
Main Methods:
- A prospective group comparison study involving 28 women aged 18-70.
- Participants were divided into premenopausal and peri-/postmenopausal groups with normal peripheral hearing.
- Auditory processing was assessed using behavioral tests and electrophysiological evaluations (auditory brainstem response, middle latency response).
Main Results:
- Postmenopausal women showed significant deficits in spatial hearing abilities compared to premenopausal women.
- Electrophysiological measures revealed statistically significant differences, with longer latencies in postmenopausal females.
- Auditory brainstem response and middle latency response indicated slower central auditory processing in the postmenopausal group.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal changes, specifically estrogen decline post-menopause, are linked to central auditory processing impairments.
- Women with auditory complaints and normal hearing thresholds may have underlying central auditory deficits.
- Further audiological evaluation is recommended for women experiencing hearing difficulties despite normal peripheral hearing sensitivity.
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