It may seem as though the roots of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-recognized. After all, the name itself suggests a fairly direct cause-and-effect relationship. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
Though we’ve known this for some time now, we haven’t perfectly understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to new 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.
How is hearing loss impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most people have plenty of zinc in their bodies, performing distinct and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, most people get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
The link between zinc and hearing loss might, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. The connection between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly obvious. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear are damaged. In humans, this might first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As a person is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body is not capable of healing or repairing this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were discovered.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this result, scientists now better understand how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-related stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to fragile portions of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe results in the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to treat hearing loss
As scientists reach a deeper understanding of this, they might be able to develop novel ways to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are frequently exposed to loud noise. However, it may 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-related hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that might be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people speaking loudly in a bustling office.
- 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 avoid. A pair of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also provide some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting damage as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can noise-induced hearing loss be cured? Sadly no. Though you can effectively manage this form 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 techniques 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 evaluated and use hearing protection.