The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-understood. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect relationship is indicated by the name, after all. The universal understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, causing long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t completely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc regulation have an important link according to this research.
How is hearing impairment affected by zinc?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most people 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 role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet provides enough zinc.
At first glance, it may be challenging to determine the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately obvious. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and carried out a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. As an individual is regularly 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.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this result, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, especially to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think leads to the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding could help scientists prevent noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are often exposed to loud noises. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, you might be asking: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Here are a few measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Routinely 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.
- Regulate your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines fall into this category. But many people would also be surprised to discover that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also cause hearing damage.
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. A set of earplugs can, for example, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be cured? Sadly no. Although you can successfully manage this form of hearing loss and any related tinnitus, it can’t be cured. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss functions 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 undertaking. 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.