It might seem as if the roots of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-established. After all, the name itself suggests a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t perfectly understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. But because of recent research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research suggests that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have an abundance of it. Healthy levels of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain translates chemical signals. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies enough zinc.
At first, it might be challenging to see the association between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately apparent. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. 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 cured in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this result, scientists now better understand how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating after the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up causing 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 due to noise exposure.
Managing hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists stop noise-induced 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 may be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are several strategies you can use to safeguard your ears:
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Wear hearing protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or merely can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help lessen 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 irreversibly damaged as a result.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that might be surprising, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people talking loudly in a bustling office.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. Even though you can effectively manage this form of hearing loss and any related tinnitus, it can’t be cured. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer process. But every bit helps. Your direct role is to get your hearing evaluated and use ear protection.