The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-founded. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect connection is indicated by the name, after all. 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 recognized this for some time now, we haven’t completely understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. But because of recent research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research reveals that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing impairment affected by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of people get plenty of zinc from their food every day.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss may, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. After all, it’s not immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has started to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and carried out a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. As an individual is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a better picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of these results. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating after the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to fragile parts of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now think leads to the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
In the future, this sort of understanding may help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those individuals who are often exposed to loud noises. Regrettably, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, you might be asking: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears manage loud environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. A set of earplugs can, for example, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also provide some protection against permanent hearing loss.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help decrease 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 such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that might be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people talking loudly in a bustling office.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss functions can help hearing specialists (and you) formulate better techniques and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
Even though this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.
