The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-founded. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is suggested by the name, after all. The common understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t perfectly understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. But because of new research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have an important connection 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 the majority of people have plenty of it. Healthy levels of zinc are associated with 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 might, at first sight, be difficult to identify. After all, it’s not immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
Researchers exposed mice to loud noises and conducted a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the fragile parts of the ear are damaged. For humans, sound will initially become impermanently muffled. This will become more serious and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t capable of healing or repairing this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this result, scientists now better understand how noise-related hearing loss symptoms happen. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to sensitive portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe results in the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists gain a better understanding of this, they may be able to develop novel approaches to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly subjected to loud noise. However, it might be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you can utilize to safeguard your ears:
- Wear ear protection: If there are noisy environments 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 capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
- Regulate your exposure to loud sounds: This clearly includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But many people would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also result in hearing damage.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify 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 effectively. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more effective the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer process. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. Your direct role is to get your hearing checked and use hearing protection.