It might seem as though the causes of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-recognized. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect relationship is indicated by the name, after all. The common 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 accurate, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well established. That’s changing, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s an important connection between zinc and hearing loss.
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, carrying out specific and essential functions. Healthy levels of zinc are connected with a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain translates chemical signals. In most instances, a person’s diet provides plenty of zinc.
At first, it might be difficult to determine the association between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly obvious. A new experiment has started to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and performed a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this might first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more serious and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were discovered.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a better understanding of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of this research. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to delicate parts of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage due to noise exposure.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are often subjected to loud noises. Regrettably, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Here are a few measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering damage as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a regular hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Use ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with loud environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. A set of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also provide some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to 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 people speaking loudly in a bustling office.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. Though you can successfully treat this type of hearing loss and any associated tinnitus, it has no cure. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
Although this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. On an individual level, it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.