Hearing may change as you approach menopause. While it’s known that estrogen receptors are present in the ear, how estrogen affects hearing is still not completely understood.
Human and animal studies have shown that low estrogen levels may impair hearing, possibly by altering blood flow to the inner ear. One study also found that women with lower circulating estrogen levels were more likely to experience hearing loss.
Additionally, progesterone levels begin to decline as early as your 30s. This decrease may reduce the number of available estrogen receptors. Although progesterone doesn’t directly affect the inner ear (cochlea), it may indirectly impact hearing by limiting estrogen receptor availability and reducing blood flow to the ear.