The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-founded. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t completely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. But because of new research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral required for carrying out necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain translates chemical signals. In most instances, a person’s diet provides plenty of zinc.
At first, it might be difficult to see the connection between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it’s not instantly obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers exposed mice to loud noises and carried out a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the fragile parts of the ear become damaged. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more acute and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a greater understanding of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss happen because of these results. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, especially to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe leads to the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
In the future, this type of understanding may help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are frequently 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 asking: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
There are several approaches you may employ to safeguard your ears:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But many people would also be surprised to learn that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Wear hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears cope with loud environments that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. A pair of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also provide some protection against permanent hearing loss.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing screening (and routinely checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-related hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. Although you can effectively manage this type of hearing loss and any associated tinnitus, it can’t be cured. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss works can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better strategies and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer undertaking. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On a personal level, it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.