It may seem as if the causes of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-established. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect connection is suggested 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.
And while that’s true, the mechanisms underpinning that cause have not always been so well established. That’s changing, thanks to new research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant connection according to this research.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. The majority of individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and essential functions. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet provides plenty of zinc.
At first, it may be difficult to determine the association between hearing loss and zinc. The relationship 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 carried out a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the fragile parts of the ear are damaged. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. As a person is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more severe and lasting. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
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 research, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were subjected 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, specifically to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage related to noise exposure.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists reach a better understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel ways to prevent hearing loss in people who are frequently subjected to loud noise. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, how can you protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Regulate your exposure to loud sounds: This obviously includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that might be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals speaking loudly in a bustling office.
- Wear 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 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.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing 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? Sadly no. This kind of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t 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 designed to keep your hearing safe.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer undertaking. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.