\n<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/sfaudiology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Woman-holds-hand-behind-ear-to-hear-768x458.jpg\" "\\"Woman")
<\/p>\n
One of the connections between arthritis and hearing loss<\/a> lies in the medications commonly used to manage arthritis symptoms. Aspirin and acetaminophen are commonly used to reduce inflammation and manage pain associated with arthritis. These medications are known to reduce blood flow to the inner ear, damaging the delicate hair cells within the inner ear<\/a>.<\/p>\n These hair cells are crucial for transmitting sound signals to the brain. Over time, prolonged use of certain medications may lead to a condition called ototoxicity, where these medications cause harm to the structures responsible for hearing.<\/p>\n Beyond medication-related concerns, certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can directly impact healthy tissue throughout the body, including the inner ear. RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.<\/p>\n In the case of hearing loss associated with RA, the inflammation caused by the autoimmune response can affect the delicate structures of the inner ear.<\/a> This inflammation can disrupt the normal function of the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals that are then sent to the brain for interpretation.<\/p>\nArthritis Attacks on Healthy Tissue<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Managing Hearing Health with Arthritis
\n<\/span><\/h2>\n