The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-founded. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. The common understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, leading to long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms behind that cause haven’t always been so well understood. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing impairment affected by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral needed for executing necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are associated 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 plenty of zinc.
The link between zinc and hearing loss might, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly apparent. A new experiment has started to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud sound. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As a person is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more severe and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t able to heal or repair this damage.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a better understanding of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss occur because of these results. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. 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.
Treating hearing loss
In the future, this kind of understanding may help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are frequently subjected to loud noises. Unfortunately, these developments are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears are defenseless.
So, how can you protect yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you may utilize to protect your ears:
- Use ear protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or simply can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. A pair of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to attend that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
- 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 routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: This clearly includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But most individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also cause hearing damage.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you cure noise-related hearing loss? Unfortunately not. Even though you can effectively manage this type 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 techniques and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer undertaking. But every bit helps. Your immediate role is to get your hearing tested and use hearing protection.
