The underlying basis of noise-induced 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, leading to long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
And while that’s true, the mechanisms underpinning that cause have not always been so well established. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc management after exposure to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc regulation have an important connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing impairment?
Zinc is a mineral needed for executing necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have plenty of it. Healthy levels of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. With a few exceptions, most individuals get enough zinc from their daily food intake.
At first, it may be difficult to see the relationship between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it isn’t instantly clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. 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 sound. For humans, sound will initially become temporarily muffled. This will become more acute and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. 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.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a better understanding of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss happen because of these results. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely behaves the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, particularly to the parts of the inner ear in control of clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
Treating hearing loss
As scientists gain a deeper understanding of this, they might be able to formulate novel ways to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly exposed to loud noise. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-related hearing loss?
There are several strategies you may employ to safeguard your ears:
- Use hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears manage loud environments that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. If you go to 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.
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines fall into this category. But most people would also be surprised to learn that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or leaf blowers can also cause hearing damage.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering 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.
Protect your ears by understanding causes
Can you reverse noise-related hearing loss? Unfortunately not. Although you can successfully manage this type of hearing loss and any associated 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) develop better techniques and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
Even though this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. On a personal level, it’s important to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.