When people think about the causes of hearing loss, they often think about aging, noise exposure, genetics, or ear infections. However, hearing is influenced by the health of the entire body, and certain medical conditions—including thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases—may also affect the auditory system.
Thyroid Disease and Hearing
The thyroid gland produces hormones that play an important role in metabolism and in the development and function of many organs, including the inner ear. Research has increasingly identified a relationship between thyroid dysfunction and hearing problems, particularly sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs when the delicate structures of the inner ear or the auditory nerve are affected.
A 2024 meta-analysis involving more than 48,000 individuals found that people with hypothyroidism had a higher risk of hearing loss than people without hypothyroidism. Researchers have proposed several possible explanations, including changes in metabolism, circulation, and the way thyroid hormones influence the structures of the inner ear. (PubMed)
The connection may be particularly important for people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system produces antibodies that attack the thyroid. Studies have found associations between thyroid autoimmunity and changes in hearing thresholds. A recent review of 30 studies concluded that there is substantial evidence connecting hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity with auditory dysfunction, although more research is needed to determine the precise mechanisms. (PubMed Central (PMC))
When the Immune System Affects Hearing
The immune system normally protects the body from infection and disease. In autoimmune disorders, however, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. In some circumstances, immune activity may affect the structures of the inner ear.
This is sometimes referred to as autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). AIED is uncommon, but it can cause rapidly progressive, fluctuating, or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Some people may also experience tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ears, dizziness, or balance problems. (PubMed)
Autoimmune diseases associated with auditory symptoms can include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and other systemic inflammatory disorders. A 2025 systematic review found that hearing loss in connective tissue diseases was most often sensorineural and frequently affected higher frequencies. (PubMed)
Why This Connection Matters
Recognizing a possible connection between hearing and overall health does not mean that thyroid disease or an autoimmune disorder is necessarily the cause of someone’s hearing loss. Hearing loss has many potential causes, and several factors may occur at the same time.
However, a person’s medical history can provide important information during a hearing evaluation. If hearing changes occur alongside an autoimmune condition, thyroid disorder, tinnitus, dizziness, or rapidly changing hearing, it is important to discuss those symptoms with both a healthcare provider and a hearing healthcare professional.
Sudden hearing loss deserves particular attention. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered a medical emergency, and prompt medical evaluation can improve the chances of appropriate treatment and hearing recovery. (NIDCD)
Takeaway
Your ears do not exist in isolation from the rest of your body. Thyroid hormones, immune system activity, circulation, and other systemic factors may all play a role in maintaining healthy hearing.
If you have thyroid disease or an autoimmune condition, regular hearing evaluations can provide a valuable baseline and help identify changes early. And if you notice a sudden or significant change in your hearing, don’t wait to see if it improves on its own seek medical attention promptly.
Protecting your hearing means looking beyond your ears and considering your whole-body health.
