The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss may seem well-founded. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is indicated by the name, after all. The universal understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, leading to long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. But because of new research, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc management have an important connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing loss?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and most people have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are connected with a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet provides plenty of zinc.
At first, it might be challenging to determine the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. 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 did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. For humans, sound will initially become impermanently muffled. As an individual is regularly exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more serious and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body is not 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 research, scientists now better understand how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers detected zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were exposed to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up doing cellular damage to the inner ear, especially to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe results in the type of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this kind of understanding could help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are frequently exposed to loud noises. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
There are a number of strategies you can employ to protect your ears:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. But many people would also be surprised to learn that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also result in hearing damage.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Wear hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears manage loud environments that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. A set of earplugs can, for example, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also provide some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can you cure noise-related hearing loss? Sadly no. Though you can successfully manage this form 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 works can help hearing specialists (and you) formulate better techniques and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
Although this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. On an individual level, it’s essential to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.