It may seem as though the causes of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-understood. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. Our basic understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t completely understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. But because of new research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research indicates that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing impairment?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and most individuals have plenty of it. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies plenty of zinc.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss might, at first sight, be difficult to identify. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately obvious. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and carried out a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud sound. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. This will become more acute and more permanent as persistent 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 discovered.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this research, scientists now better understand how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to delicate portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now think leads to the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this type of understanding might help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those individuals who are often exposed to loud noises. Regrettably, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: This clearly includes noises like jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But many individuals would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or leaf blowers can also result in hearing damage.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and routinely checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Wear ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy settings that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. If you attend that concert, for example, wear a set of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Regrettably not. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed very successfully. 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 designed to keep your hearing safe.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer process. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. Your immediate role is to get your hearing checked and use ear protection.