It may seem as if the causes of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-established. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. But because of recent research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing loss?
Zinc is a common mineral. The majority of people have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies enough zinc.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss might, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. After all, it isn’t immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and carried out a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. For humans, sound will initially become impermanently muffled. As an individual is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this result, 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 discovered zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. Zinc most likely behaves the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to sensitive portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those individuals who are frequently exposed 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, how can you protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you may use to protect your ears:
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: This obviously includes noises like jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But most individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering damage as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a regular hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Wear hearing protection: If there are loud settings you want to be in, or merely can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help decrease the damage. A pair of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to attend that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Regrettably not. This type of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed very successfully. 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 designed to keep your hearing safe.
This research is most likely just the first step in a longer process. But every bit helps. On an individual level, it’s crucial to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.