It may seem as if the causes of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-established. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection 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 recognized this for some time now, we haven’t completely understood the underlying 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 indicates that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. The majority of individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out distinct and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of people receive enough zinc from their food every day.
At first glance, it may be challenging to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it isn’t instantly clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud noises and performed a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud sound. In humans, this may first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more acute and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some fascinating 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 occur because of these results. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-related stresses. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds 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 related to noise exposure.
Managing hearing loss
In the future, this sort of understanding might help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are frequently subjected to loud noises. Unfortunately, these advancements 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 measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines fall into this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that may be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people talking loudly in a busy office.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and routinely checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears manage noisy settings that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. If you attend 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.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-related hearing loss? Sadly no. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed quite successfully. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer process. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. On a personal level, it’s crucial to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.