The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-founded. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. The universal understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
And while that’s true, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well established. But because of new research, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. The majority of individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. In most cases, a person’s diet provides plenty of zinc.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss might, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. After all, it’s not immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud sound. In humans, this might first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more serious and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. In both mice and humans, the body is not capable of healing or repairing this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc were discovered.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this result, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to delicate portions of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now think leads to the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
Managing hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding might help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are frequently subjected to loud noises. However, it may be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you may utilize to protect your ears:
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. A pair of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also offer some protection against permanent hearing loss.
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: This obviously includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But most people would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also result in hearing damage.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can noise-related hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. Even though you can effectively treat this type of hearing loss and any related tinnitus, it has no cure. 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 probably just the first step in a longer undertaking. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. Your direct role is to get your hearing evaluated and use ear protection.