It may seem as if the causes of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-understood. After all, the name itself suggests a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. Our fundamental understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms underpinning that cause haven’t always been so well understood. But because of new research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have an important connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing impairment?
Zinc is a mineral needed for executing necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are connected with a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of individuals receive plenty of zinc from their food every day.
The link between zinc and hearing loss might, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately apparent. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. In humans, this might first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As a person is regularly exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more extreme and lasting. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of these results. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating after the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-related stresses. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to sensitive parts of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now think leads to the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
Treating hearing loss
As scientists gain a better understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel methods to prevent hearing loss in people who are frequently exposed to loud noise. Regrettably, these developments 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 steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Use hearing protection: If there are loud environments you want to be in, or simply can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help decrease the damage. If you go to that concert, for instance, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and regularly checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that may be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals talking loudly in a busy office.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. This kind of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more effective 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 a personal level, it’s important to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.
