The underlying basis of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-understood. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect connection is indicated by the name, after all. The universal understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, leading to long-term and permanent hearing loss.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant link according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing impairment?
Zinc is a mineral required for carrying out necessary bodily functions and most individuals have plenty of it. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, most people receive plenty of zinc from their daily food intake.
The connection between zinc and hearing loss might, at first glance, be difficult to recognize. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly obvious. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s going on.
Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and conducted a few analyses afterward. When exposed to loud sounds, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. For humans, sound will initially become impermanently muffled. As a person is regularly exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more severe and lasting. This damage can’t be cured 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?
Because of this research, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms happen. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form when 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 produces hearing damage related to noise exposure.
How to treat hearing loss
As scientists reach a greater understanding of this, they may be able to develop novel ways to prevent hearing loss in people who are regularly subjected 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 protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you may utilize to safeguard your ears:
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Getting a hearing test (and routinely checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Use hearing protection: If there are loud environments you want to be in, or merely can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. If you attend that concert, for example, use a pair 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 sounds: This obviously includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that might be surprising, and that includes things like a leaf blower, traffic, or people talking loudly in a bustling office.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-related hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. This type of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed quite effectively. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
This research is probably just the first step in a longer undertaking. But every bit helps. On a personal level, it’s essential to take steps to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.