The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss may seem well-understood. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. The universal understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and permanent hearing loss.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t completely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant link according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. The majority of individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies plenty of zinc.
At first, it may be challenging to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it’s not immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. This damage can’t be healed 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 happen because of this research. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. 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 winds up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, particularly to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that causes hearing damage related to noise exposure.
Managing hearing loss
As scientists gain a deeper understanding of this, they may be able to formulate novel ways to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly 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 asking: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few measures you can take to protect your hearing:
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines fall into this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that may be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals talking loudly in a bustling office.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Wear ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears deal with noisy settings 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 result.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-related hearing loss? Regrettably not. This type of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more effective the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer process. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On a personal level, it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.