The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-understood. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect relationship 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.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t perfectly understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud sounds. This research reveals that there’s a significant link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing loss?
Zinc is a common mineral. The majority of individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and essential functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are connected with a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, most individuals receive enough zinc from their daily food intake.
The link between zinc and hearing loss may, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. After all, it isn’t instantly obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear are damaged. In humans, this might first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As a person is continually exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more severe and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t capable of healing or repairing this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss occur because of this research. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating after the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to delicate portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage due to noise exposure.
Treating hearing loss
In the future, this type of understanding may help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those individuals who are often 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, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: This clearly includes noises like jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that may be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals talking loudly in a busy office.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing 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 loud settings that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. A pair of earplugs can, for example, allow you to attend that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can noise-induced hearing loss be reversed? Regrettably not. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed quite successfully. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
Even though this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s essential to take steps to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.