It might seem as though the roots of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-recognized. After all, the name itself suggests a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. Our basic understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t entirely understood the inherent mechanisms behind it. That’s improving, thanks to new research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc regulation have an important connection according to this research.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and most individuals have an abundance of it. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet provides plenty of zinc.
At first glance, it may be challenging to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. After all, it’s not instantly obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud noises and conducted a few analyses afterward. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this might first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more acute and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. 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 fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Because of this result, scientists now better understand how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. 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. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to fragile portions of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that causes hearing damage due to noise exposure.
Managing hearing loss
As scientists gain a greater understanding of this, they might be able to develop novel methods to prevent hearing loss in people who are frequently subjected to loud noise. Regrettably, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, you may be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
There are several approaches you can use to safeguard your ears:
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But most individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday noises like chatty offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also cause hearing damage.
- Use hearing protection: If there are loud settings you want to be in, or merely can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help decrease the damage. If you attend that concert, for example, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become irreversibly damaged as a consequence.
- 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 routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
Understand the causes, safeguard your ears
Can noise-induced hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. Though you can successfully 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.
Although this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On an individual level, it’s essential to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.