Women who notice a subtle ear symptom might be going through a major change in their bodies. Whilst certain signs of this major change are obvious, an expert has claimed one body part might be quietly raising important warning signals.

Women experiencing a subtle symptom in their ears might be facing a significant transformation in their bodies. While some signs of this change are well-known, an expert suggests that one often-overlooked body part could be signaling an important warning.

In the UK, around 13 million individuals are either currently undergoing or have completed menopause. Dr. Amir Khan, a regular contributor to ITV’s daytime programs such as Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, highlighted a menopause symptom that rarely gets mentioned.

This symptom affects a part of the body most wouldn’t associate with menopause, yet it can significantly impact daily life. According to a report by the Mirror, tinnitus in the ears might be an indicator that you are entering perimenopause or progressing through menopause.

Although it attracts less attention than common symptoms like hot flashes or mood swings, research indicates that about 30% of women experience new or worsened tinnitus—characterized by ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds—during this transitional phase. Dr. Khan explained, “When estrogen levels drop, it affects blood flow and the tiny receptor cells within the inner ear, which are crucial for clear sound perception.”

He added, “During perimenopause, many women find sounds become muffled, making it difficult to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments. This isn’t merely a result of aging; it often corresponds with hormonal changes. Tinnitus, that persistent ringing in the ear, can manifest as buzzing, whooshing, or ringing.”

Dr. Khan further noted, “Hormonal changes can heighten the perception of tinnitus, particularly at night or during stressful times. Estrogen plays a key role in supporting the auditory pathway, and when its levels decrease, it can lead to increased nerve sensitivity and the creation of these phantom sounds.”

“This can be especially common if symptoms flare with your cycle during the perimenopause. Really common things, and this is why it’s important to talk about it.

“These ear symptoms can really impact confidence, especially if you’re already dealing with things like brain fog and poor sleep. The good news is these [ear issues] are treatable and, once you know what’s causing them, there are things you can do to help.”

What might help with hearing problems?

Dr Khan recommended that the initial step he would advise a patient to take is obtaining an audiological assessment, particularly if sounds appear “muffled or one-sided”. With tinnitus, he proposed solutions such as sound therapy, establishing proper sleep patterns and possibly reducing caffeine consumption, as this can exacerbate tinnitus.

For people experiencing balance problems and dizziness, Dr Khan emphasised that staying hydrated is crucial and encouraged people to make “slow position changes” when moving. For certain women, they may discover that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can assist in “stabilising symptoms”.

Those seeking further details about HRT can access information on the NHS website here. Various types, potential side effects and alternative treatments are available.