The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-founded. After all, the name itself suggests a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. The universal understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t entirely 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. Hearing loss and zinc management have an important link according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing impairment?
Zinc is a common mineral. The majority of individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and essential functions. Healthy levels of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of individuals receive enough zinc from their daily food intake.
At first, it might be difficult to see the association between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it’s not immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this may first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more serious and more permanent as persistent 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 revealed.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss occur because of these results. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, specifically to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists reach a deeper understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel approaches to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly exposed to loud noise. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
There are several approaches you can utilize to protect your ears:
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines fall into this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that may be surprising, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals talking loudly in a bustling office.
- Wear hearing protection: If there are loud 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, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and regularly checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Unfortunately not. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed very successfully. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss functions can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better strategies and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
Although this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. Your direct role is to get your hearing evaluated and use hearing protection.