It might seem as if the roots of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-established. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. 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 accurate, the mechanisms behind that cause haven’t always been so well established. But because of recent research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most people have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and essential functions. Healthy levels of zinc are connected 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 plenty of zinc from their daily food intake.
At first glance, it might be difficult to determine the association between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it’s not immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers exposed mice to loud noises and performed a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this might first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is continually exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more extreme and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t capable of healing or repairing this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss occur because of this research. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating after the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-related stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up causing 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.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding may help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are frequently exposed to loud noises. However, it might be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
There are several strategies you may utilize to protect your ears:
- Wear ear protection: If there are loud environments you want to be in, or merely can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. If you go to that concert, for example, use a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become irreversibly damaged as a result.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: 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, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people speaking loudly in a bustling office.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing test (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. Though you can successfully 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 works can help hearing specialists (and you) formulate better techniques and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
This research is most likely just the first step in a longer process. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. Your direct role is to get your hearing tested and use ear protection.