It might seem as though the roots of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-recognized. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. Our basic understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well established. But because of new research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc regulation have a significant connection according to this research.
How is hearing impairment impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and most people have an abundance of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet supplies plenty of zinc.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss may, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. The link 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 conducted a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the delicate parts of the ear are damaged. For humans, sound will initially become impermanently muffled. This will become more serious and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a better understanding of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss happen because of these results. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers detected 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, specifically to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe results in the type of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
In the future, this type of understanding could help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, 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 protect your ears.
So, you may be asking: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are several strategies you can use to protect your ears:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: This obviously includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. 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 talking loudly in a bustling office.
- Use ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. 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: Getting a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-related hearing loss be reversed? Regrettably not. This type of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer process. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. Your direct role is to get your hearing tested and use ear protection.
