The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-understood. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is indicated by the name, after all. The universal understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and permanent hearing loss.
And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms behind that cause haven’t always been so well understood. But because of recent research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc regulation have a significant connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing impairment?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and most 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 translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, most people get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss might, at first sight, be difficult to identify. After all, it isn’t immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has started to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the delicate parts of the ear are damaged. For humans, sound will initially become impermanently muffled. This will become more serious and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a better picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of this research. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to delicate portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
In the future, this type of understanding might help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those people who are often subjected to loud noises. Regrettably, these developments are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, how can you protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: This obviously 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, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals speaking loudly in a busy office.
- Wear ear protection: If there are noisy environments you want to be in, or merely can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. If you go to that concert, for instance, use a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a result.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed quite effectively. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss functions can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better techniques and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
Even though this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On an individual level, it’s important to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.