It might seem as though the causes of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-recognized. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is indicated by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
And while that’s true, the mechanisms underpinning that cause haven’t always been so well established. But because of recent research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research suggests that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. Most individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, most individuals receive plenty of zinc from their daily food intake.
The link between zinc and hearing loss may, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. 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 sound. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this might first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more acute and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc were discovered.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of this research. Usually, 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-related stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, particularly to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that causes hearing damage due to noise exposure.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding could help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are often subjected to loud noises. Regrettably, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you can utilize to protect your ears:
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help minimize long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a regular hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Use ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with loud settings that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. If you go to that concert, for example, use a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become irreversibly damaged as a result.
- 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 may be surprising, and that includes 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 kind of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed quite successfully. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss functions can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better strategies and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
Although this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s important to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.