It might seem as though the causes of noise-related hearing loss are functionally well-established. After all, the name itself indicates a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. Our basic understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound 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 regulation have a significant connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing impairment?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and essential functions. Healthy levels of zinc are associated with a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet supplies enough zinc.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss might, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly apparent. A new experiment has started to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. In humans, this may 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 able to heal or repair this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this result, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form after the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to fragile 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.
Treating hearing loss
In the future, this sort of understanding might help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are often exposed to loud noises. However, it might be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears are defenseless.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Use 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. A set of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and routinely checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: This clearly includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But most individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday sounds like chatty workplaces, traffic, or leaf blowers can also result in hearing damage.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can noise-related hearing loss be cured? Sadly no. Even though you can successfully manage this form of hearing loss and any associated tinnitus, it has no cure. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss functions can help hearing specialists (and you) formulate better strategies and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
Even though this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But every bit helps. Your direct role is to get your hearing tested and use ear protection.