The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-founded. After all, the name itself indicates a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. The universal understanding is simply that loud noises damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, causing long-term and irreversible hearing loss.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well established. But because of new research, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, and this includes the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud sounds. Hearing loss and zinc management have a significant connection according to this research.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a commonplace mineral. Most individuals have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, carrying out distinct and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain interpret chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. In most instances, a person’s diet supplies plenty of zinc.
At first, it may be challenging to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly obvious. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers did some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the fragile parts of the ear become damaged. In humans, this might first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is continually exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more extreme 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?
Because of this result, scientists now better understand how noise-related hearing loss symptoms happen. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating after the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely behaves the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc causes damage to delicate parts 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 manage hearing loss
As scientists reach a greater understanding of this, they might be able to develop novel methods to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are frequently exposed to loud noise. However, it might be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But there are still other ways to protect your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
There are a number of approaches you can employ to safeguard your ears:
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing test (and routinely checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Wear hearing protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or simply can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help lessen the damage. 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 irreversibly damaged as a result.
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But many individuals would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or lawnmowers can also cause hearing damage.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can noise-related hearing loss be reversed? Unfortunately not. Though you can successfully manage this form 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) formulate better strategies and treatments designed to keep your hearing safe.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer undertaking. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. Your direct role is to get your hearing examined and use hearing protection.