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Haemochromatosis and hearing loss
Haemochromatosis (he-moe-kroe-moe-toe-sis) is an inherited condition where iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years.
Symptoms of Haemochromatosis
· Arthritic pain in the abdomen
· Fatigue
· Darkening of skin colour
· Abnormal heart rhythm
· Memory problems
· Hearing loss
How does Haemochromatosis affect the hearing mechanism?
Even though the brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier, the excessive iron build up over the years may get through the blood-brain barrier, resulting in neurological illnesses, including Auditory Neuropathy, which affects the auditory nerve firing the impulses to the brain in order to hear, which results in a hearing loss that can range from a mild to profound degree.
Treatment
Treatment includes bloodletting (phlebotomy), meaning that iron levels can be dropped safely by regularly removing blood from the body. Patients also need to reduce their iron and vitamin C intake, and avoid alcohol. If not treated, this can lead to
· Diabetes mellitus
· Neurological illnesses
· Liver failure/cancer
· Infertility
· Weakening of the heart/heart failure
· Early death
Diagnosis is made through a variety of laboratory tests that a doctor can order.
If you have been diagnosed with Haemochromatosis, it is crucial that you hearing are monitored frequently!
Do you want to book an appointment with one of our Audiologists?