The underlying basis of noise-induced hearing loss may seem well-understood. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. But because of new research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research reveals that there’s an important connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have an abundance of it. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. In most cases, a person’s diet provides enough zinc.
At first glance, it may be difficult to determine the association between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it isn’t immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. 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. As a person is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more severe and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t able to heal or repair this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a better understanding 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. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, specifically to the parts of the inner ear responsible for 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
As scientists gain a greater understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel ways to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly exposed to loud noise. However, it may be some time before those advancements become a viable reality. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you can utilize to safeguard your ears:
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But most individuals would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and routinely checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Wear ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy settings that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. If you go to that concert, for example, wear a set of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become irreversibly damaged as a result.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-related hearing loss be cured? Sadly no. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
Although this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On an individual level, it’s important to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.