The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-understood. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is indicated by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well established. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc management have an important link according to this research.
How is hearing impairment affected by zinc?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies enough zinc.
At first, it might be difficult to see the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly obvious. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the delicate parts of the ear become damaged. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more serious and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. 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 noticed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this research, scientists now better understand how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms occur. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, particularly to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe leads to the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding could help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are frequently subjected to loud noises. Unfortunately, these developments 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?
Here are several steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Wear hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears manage noisy settings that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. If you attend that concert, for instance, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become irreversibly damaged as a result.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: This obviously includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But many individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or leaf blowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering 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.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be cured? Unfortunately not. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss works can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better techniques and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer process. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s crucial to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.