It may seem as if the roots of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-established. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. The common understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and permanent hearing loss.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. But because of new research, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research indicates that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing impairment impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are associated with a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet supplies plenty of zinc.
At first, it may be challenging to determine the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it isn’t instantly clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers engaged in some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more severe and lasting. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a better understanding of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss occur because of these results. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-related stresses. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, specifically to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those individuals who are frequently exposed to loud noises. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a regular hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: This obviously includes noises like jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But most individuals would also be surprised to discover that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Use ear protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or simply can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help decrease the damage. A pair of earplugs can, for example, allow you to attend that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also provide some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. This kind of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed quite effectively. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
Although this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On an individual level, it’s crucial to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.
