It might seem as though the roots of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-understood. After all, the name itself indicates a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. Our basic understanding is that irreversible 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 entirely understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant link according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing impairment?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and most individuals have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. With a few exceptions, most people get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
The link between zinc and hearing loss may, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. After all, it isn’t instantly obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and conducted a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear are damaged. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. This will become more acute 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 discovered.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a better picture of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss happen because of this research. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected 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, particularly to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe results in the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this type of understanding might help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those people who are often subjected to loud noises. Unfortunately, these developments are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are several approaches you may utilize to protect your ears:
- Use ear 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 decrease the damage. If you go to that concert, for instance, wear a set of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. But many people would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also cause hearing damage.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help minimize long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can noise-related hearing loss be cured? Unfortunately not. This type 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.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer undertaking. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. On an individual level, it’s crucial to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.