The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss may seem well-understood. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is suggested by the name, after all. Our basic understanding is that permanent hearing damage is caused by 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 established. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing impairment?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most people have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and necessary functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, most individuals receive plenty of zinc from their daily food intake.
At first glance, it may be challenging to see the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately obvious. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
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 a person is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more severe and lasting. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
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?
Scientists now have a greater understanding of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss occur because of this research. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to delicate parts of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage due to noise exposure.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists gain a greater understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel methods to prevent hearing loss in people who are regularly exposed to loud noise. Regrettably, these developments are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Wear hearing protection: If there are noisy environments 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 example, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a result.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: This clearly includes noises like 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 speaking loudly in a busy office.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering damage as early as possible can help decrease long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a regular hearing test is the best way to do that.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be cured? Sadly no. Though you can successfully manage this form of hearing loss and any associated 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) develop better strategies and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
Although this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. Your immediate role is to get your hearing examined and use ear protection.
