The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-understood. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. Our basic understanding is that permanent hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms behind that cause haven’t always been so well understood. But because of new research, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research suggests that there’s a significant link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Healthy levels of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of individuals get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
At first, it may be difficult to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it’s not immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has started to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud sound. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. This will become more acute 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 revealed.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of this research. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, particularly to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those individuals who are frequently subjected to loud noises. Regrettably, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Use hearing protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or merely can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help lessen the damage. 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 irreversible hearing loss.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering damage as early as possible can help minimize long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a regular hearing test is the best way to do that.
- 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 might be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people talking loudly in a bustling office.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. This kind of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed quite successfully. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss works can help hearing specialists (and you) formulate better strategies and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer process. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s important to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.