It may seem as though the roots of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-established. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is indicated by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms behind that cause haven’t always been so well understood. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud noises. 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 mineral needed for executing necessary bodily functions and most individuals have an abundance of it. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, most people receive plenty of zinc from their daily food intake.
The link between zinc and hearing loss might, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately 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. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As a person is continually 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.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Does zinc help or cause hearing loss?
Because of this result, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms happen. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely behaves the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, especially to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think leads to the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists reach a deeper understanding of this, they might be able to develop novel methods to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are frequently exposed to loud noise. Unfortunately, these developments are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. If you attend that concert, for example, wear a set of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a consequence.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting 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.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But many people would also be surprised to discover that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also cause hearing damage.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be cured? Sadly no. Though you can effectively treat 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 functions can help hearing specialists (and you) formulate better strategies and treatments tailored to keep your hearing safe.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer process. But every bit helps. Your direct role is to get your hearing evaluated and use hearing protection.