The underlying basis of noise-induced hearing loss may seem well-understood. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. Our basic understanding is that permanent hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
And while that’s true, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well established. That’s changing, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud noises. This research reveals that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. The majority of individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing specific and necessary functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are associated with a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, most individuals get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
The link between zinc and hearing loss might, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. After all, it isn’t instantly obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has started to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and conducted a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud noises, 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 serious and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. 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 noticed some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this result, scientists now better understand how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-related stresses. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to sensitive portions of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that causes hearing damage related to noise exposure.
How to treat hearing loss
As scientists reach a greater understanding of this, they might be able to develop novel ways to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly exposed to loud noise. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears are defenseless.
So, you may be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are a number of strategies you may utilize to protect your ears:
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help decrease long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: This clearly 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 cope with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. If you go to that concert, for example, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become irreversibly damaged as a consequence.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-related hearing loss? Sadly no. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed quite effectively. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss works can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better strategies and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
Even though this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On a personal level, it’s important to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.