Hearing Loss and the Zinc Link
The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-founded. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect relationship is indicated by the name, after all. The common understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms underpinning that cause haven’t always been so well understood. But because of new research, we’re developing a greater understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s a significant link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a mineral required for carrying out necessary bodily functions and the majority of people have plenty of it. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet provides enough zinc.
At first glance, it might be difficult to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly apparent. A new experiment has started to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and conducted a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. 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 cured in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this research, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms happen. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. Zinc most likely responds the same way 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 produces hearing damage due to noise exposure.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists gain a deeper understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel methods to prevent hearing loss in people who are frequently subjected to loud noise. Regrettably, these developments are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears are defenseless.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
Here are several measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing screening (and routinely checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. But many individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or lawnmowers can also cause hearing damage.
- Use ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears cope with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. A set of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against permanent hearing loss.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be reversed? Regrettably not. This kind 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 strategies 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. Your direct role is to get your hearing evaluated and use hearing protection.