Ears

Balance problems are among APS’s most common symptoms, but hearing impairment is often under-recognised.

In a small empirical survey carried out by our charity, it was surprising that 67% of patients had experienced problems with their hearing.

It is increasingly acknowledged that various middle ear symptoms, including tinnitus (a ringing in the ears), can occur due to APS. However, the exact cause is yet unknown.

Sudden hearing loss can also occur because the blood supply to the nerves in the ear is reduced, as it is thought that the antiphospholipid antibodies can cause micro clots in these small vessels.

Hearing loss occurs in other autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome, but patients will usually also have antiphospholipid antibodies even with these conditions.