The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss may seem well-founded. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is suggested by the name, after all. The universal understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, causing long-term and permanent hearing loss.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms underpinning that cause have not always been so well established. That’s changing, thanks to new research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. Most people have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and essential functions. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is connected to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, most individuals receive 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’s not immediately obvious what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has begun to expose what’s going on, however.
Researchers exposed mice to loud noises and performed 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 may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is continually exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more serious and lasting. This damage can’t be cured in either humans or mice.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and observed some interesting 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, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers observed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. It’s likely the same thing occurs in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to fragile parts of the inner ear that are crucial in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage related to noise exposure.
Treating hearing loss
As scientists reach a deeper understanding of this, they might be able to formulate novel methods to prevent hearing loss in people who are regularly exposed to loud noise. However, it might be some time before those advancements become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. But most individuals would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or lawnmowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Consistently 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.
- Wear ear protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or simply can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help decrease the damage. A set of earplugs can, for example, allow you to go to that loud concert and still be capable of hearing the music but also offer some protection against irreversible hearing loss.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can you cure noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. This type of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed quite successfully. 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 immediate role is to get your hearing evaluated and use ear protection.