Understanding hearing loss and cognitive degeneration in the menopause

Dear friends,

The menopause is a time of great change in our lives, and perhaps you’ve noticed that your hearing isn’t quite the same? You’re not alone. 

Today, let’s take some time together to understand this fascinating phenomenon and discover how to turn it into an opportunity to take care of our cognitive health.

Our hormones are the real conductors of our bodies. Oestrogens, in particular, play a crucial role that we don’t always realise. They protect our nervous system and play an active role in the transmission of auditory signals to our brain.

Your auditory system is like an ultra-sophisticated communication network. Each sound picked up by your ears triggers a cascade of reactions and events in your brain. The hair cells, ultra-sensitive microphones, transform sound vibrations into electrical signals that our brain then decodes to give them meaning. During the menopause, this system can become more vulnerable.

During the menopause, their gradual decline can have an impact on our hearing, particularly in the delicate hair cells of our inner ear. It’s as if our hearing system were gradually losing its natural protective shield. But don’t panic! Our bodies have a remarkable capacity to adapt, and science is providing us with new solutions every day.

When our hearing starts to fail, our brains have to work harder to understand conversations. It’s like trying to read a book with some of the letters erased – you can do it, but it takes more effort and energy.

Our brain is like a city with millions of roads, our neuronal connections. Good hearing helps to keep these roads well maintained. When hearing declines, certain roads may become less frequented, which can affect their ‘maintenance’.

Chronic stress can have a major impact on our heart health. Meditation and deep breathing, practised for even a few minutes a day, are effective ways of regulating this stress. It’s essential to cultivate fulfilling social relationships and share your concerns with those close to you. Sleep also plays a major role: seven to eight hours a night allows the body to regenerate effectively.

Recharging activities such as reading, gardening, music or art therapy help to maintain an emotional balance that is good for the heart. Relaxation techniques such as sophrology or self-hypnosis can be a useful addition to this anti-stress arsenal.

On a biological level, the drop in oestrogen makes our cells more exposed to oxidative stress. It’s as if our natural anti-rust defence system becomes less effective. The menopause can also slightly increase inflammation in our bodies, which can affect both our hearing and our cognition. Hormonal changes can also alter our blood circulation, including to our ears and brain.

Fortunately, there are a number of practical, scientifically-proven solutions to these changes. Early detection is essential: don’t wait to have your hearing checked. Modern audiograms are complete check-ups of your hearing system and can detect the slightest changes long before you notice them yourself.

Hearing aids have come a long way. Forget the bulky devices of yesteryear! Today’s models are real technological gems that adapt automatically to your environment and can even connect to your smartphone, all in absolute discretion.

Cognitive stimulation plays a crucial role. Specific listening exercises, auditory memory games and even music therapy can make a real difference. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in essential nutrients actively helps to protect our auditory and cognitive systems.

Regular physical exercise acts as a real protective shield by improving blood flow to the brain and ears, reducing systemic inflammation, and promoting the production of neurotrophic factors that protect our neurons. It also helps maintain a healthy weight, which is important for our hormonal balance.

Stress management is just as important, as it can amplify the effects of the menopause on our hearing and cognition. Mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep breathing and progressive relaxation are all valuable tools for maintaining our balance.

Social relationships play a fundamental role in our cognitive health. Conversation naturally stimulates our brain and auditory system. It’s crucial to maintain active social links, whether by joining discussion groups, taking part in group activities or simply keeping in regular contact with those close to us.

Hormone replacement therapy may be an option to discuss with your doctor. It can help slow nerve cell loss, maintain better blood circulation, reduce inflammation and protect hearing cells. This decision should be taken in the light of your personal situation and medical history.

In your daily routine, a few adjustments can make a big difference. Get into the habit of taking breaks in noisy environments and positioning yourself strategically during group conversations. Never hesitate to ask for repetition if necessary. Using subtitles when watching programmes can also ease your listening effort.

Every day, research is making progress in understanding the links between menopause, hearing and cognition. New therapeutic solutions are regularly developed. The important thing is to remain proactive and positive in the face of these changes.

Remember that the menopause is a natural transition, not an illness. It’s an opportunity to take even better care of ourselves and put in place habits that will support us for years to come. You now have all the tools you need to take care of your hearing and cognitive health.

You are part of a community of strong, resilient women, capable of transforming every challenge into an opportunity for growth. The key is to be kind to yourself, listen to your body and seek support when you need it. Your hearing and cognitive health deserve your full attention, because they are at the heart of your quality of life.
Together, we’re stronger. Take care of yourself!