The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-understood. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is suggested by the name, after all. The common understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, causing long-term and permanent hearing loss.
And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms behind that cause haven’t always been so well understood. That’s improving, thanks to new research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant link according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a common mineral. The majority of individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and necessary functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are connected with a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of people receive enough zinc from their daily food intake.
At first glance, it may be challenging to determine the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it isn’t immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and performed a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the delicate parts of the ear are damaged. In humans, this may first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body is not able to heal or repair this damage.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this research, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, especially 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.
Treating hearing loss
Over time, this type of understanding might help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are often subjected to loud noises. However, it may be some time before those advancements become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, you may be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Here are several measures you can take to protect your hearing:
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help decrease long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. 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 speaking loudly in a busy office.
- Use ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears manage 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 able to hear the music but also provide some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-related hearing loss be cured? Unfortunately not. Although you can successfully treat this form of hearing loss and any associated tinnitus, it has no cure. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
Even though this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s essential to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.