The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-understood. After all, the name itself indicates a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. The common understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, leading to long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms underpinning that cause have not always been so well understood. But because of recent research, we’re developing a greater understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research suggests that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing impairment impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. Most individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of people receive enough zinc from their food every day.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss may, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. After all, it’s not instantly clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As a person is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body is not capable of healing or repairing this damage.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed 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-induced hearing loss symptoms occur. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were subjected 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, especially to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage related to noise exposure.
Managing hearing loss
As scientists gain a better understanding of this, they might be able to develop novel approaches to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly exposed to loud noise. However, it may be some time before those advancements become a viable reality. 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 steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines fall into this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that might be surprising, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals speaking loudly in a busy office.
- Wear hearing protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or merely can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. If you go to that concert, for example, use a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a result.
- Regularly 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.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Regrettably not. Even though you can successfully manage this type of hearing loss and any related 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) formulate better techniques and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
Although this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. Your direct role is to get your hearing checked and use ear protection.