Menopause is a major biological transition experienced by over one billion women worldwide. Many
women report difficulties with memory and attention as well as hearing changes such as noise
sensitivity during this transition. These changes significantly impact work performance, social
participation, and wellbeing, yet are often dismissed or inadequately captured by standard clinical
assessments. Importantly, given that hearing loss in midlife is a modifiable risk factor for dementia, and that women with hearing loss face greater dementia risk than men, understanding how menopause, hearing and cognitive function interrelate is critical for women's health.
This PhD project aims to provide a comprehensive account of these relationships through a mixed methods design. Phase 1 explores women's lived experiences through semi-structured interviews with women across pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal stages. Phase 2 characterises how auditory neurophysiology differs across menopause stages using electroencephalography (EEG) to map the auditory pathway from ear to brain. This will include auditory brainstem responses and cortical responses, alongside behavioural assessments, cognitive tests, and menopause-relevant self-reportmeasures developed from Phase 1 findings.
By integrating lived experience with objective neurophysiological and behavioural measures, this
project aims to advance understanding of menopause-related auditory and cognitive changes.
Understanding these relationships is essential for supporting healthy, thriving communities where
women can maintain active roles during midlife. This research has the potential to improve quality of
life during menopause and guide future research on hormonal influences on hearing and cognition.