06/12/2025
Hi Ladies, we talk a lot about hot flushes, mood changes, sleep and all the usual suspects…
but there’s one menopause symptom hardly anyone mentions.
Your ears. 👂
Hearing changes, tinnitus and even balance issues can all be connected to falling oestrogen, but most women have no idea.
Here’s what I want you to know:
💜 Hearing changes
When oestrogen drops, it affects blood flow and the tiny receptor cells inside your inner ear. These little cells help you pick up sound clearly, so during perimenopause many women start noticing things feel muffled, especially in busy places.
You might find yourself saying pardon? more than usual 😅
This isn’t just ageing. It often tracks with hormonal fluctuations.
💚 Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, whooshing)
Hormone changes can make tinnitus louder or more noticeable, especially at night or when you're stressed. Oestrogen supports the auditory pathways, so when levels drop, the nerves can become more sensitive and create those phantom sounds.
💜 Balance & dizziness
Your balance system sits in the same inner ear space. Oestrogen helps regulate the fluid there, so when it drops you might experience little spells of dizziness, motion sensitivity or that floaty, off-balance feeling.
This is really common in perimenopause, especially when symptoms flare in line with your cycle.
Here are a few things that can help:
💚 If your hearing feels muffled or worse on one side, get a hearing test.
Just to rule out anything else.
💜 Tinnitus
Good sleep, sound therapy, lowering caffeine as caffeine can trigger it, grounding, and managing stress all help.
Some women find symptoms calm once their hormones are stabilised, especially with HRT if it’s appropriate.
💚 Balance issues
Hydration is key, slow position changes, and if it’s affecting you a lot, a physio trained in vestibular issues can make a big difference.
We don’t talk about this enough, and it can really knock your confidence, especially if you’re already dealing with brain fog or poor sleep.
So if you’ve been experiencing ringing, dizziness or hearing changes, please know, you’re not alone, and there are things you can do.
Always speak to your GP if you’re worried!
If you would like more support on your hormonal journey, join my FREE support group, where we talk about what you can do to feel like you again.
Link in the comments.
Jo 💜💚
