The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-founded. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. But because of recent research, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research suggests that there’s an important connection between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and most 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 interprets chemical signals. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of individuals get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
At first glance, it may be difficult to see the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it isn’t immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. This will become more acute and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were discovered.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this research, scientists now better understand how noise-related hearing loss symptoms happen. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, particularly to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe leads to the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists prevent noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are frequently subjected to loud noises. However, it might be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears are defenseless.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are several strategies you can utilize to safeguard your ears:
- Consistently 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 routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: This clearly includes noises like 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 individuals speaking loudly in a busy office.
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears cope with loud environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. If you attend that concert, for example, use a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Unfortunately not. Though you can effectively treat this type of hearing loss and any related tinnitus, it can’t be cured. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is most likely just the first step in a longer undertaking. But every bit helps. On an individual level, it’s crucial to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.