The underlying basis of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-founded. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is suggested by the name, after all. Our basic understanding is that permanent hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms underpinning that cause haven’t always been so well understood. But because of new research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research indicates that there’s a significant link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing loss?
Zinc is a common mineral. The majority of individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and essential functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies plenty of zinc.
At first, it may be challenging to see the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately obvious. A new experiment has begun to reveal 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 are damaged. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. As a person is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more extreme 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 fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this research, scientists now better understand how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to delicate parts of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe leads to the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
In the future, this sort of understanding may help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are frequently exposed to loud noises. However, it may be some time before those advancements become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, how can you protect yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
Here are a few steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Wear hearing protection: If there are loud settings you want to be in, or simply can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help lessen the damage. If you go to that concert, for instance, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: 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, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals talking loudly in a busy office.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Regrettably not. Though you can effectively treat this type of hearing loss and any associated 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.
Even though this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. Your direct role is to get your hearing tested and use ear protection.