The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-understood. After all, the name itself suggests 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 behind that cause have not always been so well established. But because of recent research, we’re gaining a greater understanding of noise-induced hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. This research reveals that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
How is hearing loss affected by zinc?
Zinc is a common mineral. The majority of people have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out distinct and necessary functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are associated with a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. With a few exceptions, the vast majority of people receive enough zinc from their daily food intake.
At first, it might be challenging to see the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately obvious. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. In mice, as with humans, the sensitive mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud noise. In humans, this may first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is regularly exposed to loud sound, this damage will become more serious and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t capable of healing or repairing this damage.
Researchers also took blood samples from the mice and noticed some interesting results in terms of free-floating zinc.
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. Normally, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were subjected to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. It’s likely the same thing happens in humans.
This zinc de-regulation ends 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 type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
As scientists gain a greater understanding of this, they might be able to formulate novel methods to prevent hearing loss in individuals who are regularly exposed to loud noise. Regrettably, these developments are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are a few measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Use hearing protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or simply can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. If you go to that concert, for instance, wear a pair of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a result.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and routinely checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
- Regulate your exposure to loud sounds: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines belong to this category. But most people would also be surprised to learn that everyday sounds like chatty workplaces, traffic, or leaf blowers can also lead to hearing damage.
Safeguard your ears by understanding causes
Can noise-induced hearing loss be reversed? Sadly no. Although you can effectively manage this type of hearing loss and any related tinnitus, it has no cure. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more successful the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.
Even though this research is encouraging, we still have a ways to go. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On a personal level, it’s crucial to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.