Associations between stress and hearing problems in humans

Hearing problems are a public health issue with prevalence figures far more common than previously estimated. There are well-established risk factors of hearing problems such as age, sex and noise exposure history. Here, we demonstrate additional risk factors, i.e. socioeconomic status and long-term stress exposure that are found to increase the risk of hearing problems. In order to proactively intervene and prevent hearing problems, these newly recognized risk factors need to be taken into consideration. When taking these new risk factors into account, sex differences become even more apparent than previously found. The aim of this review is to summarize our recent findings about the associations between stress and hearing problems.

► Socioeconomic status and stress are risk factors for hearing problems.
► There is a relationship between chronic stress and hearing loss and tinnitus.
► Emotional exhaustion is a stronger predictor of tinnitus than known risk factors.