The underlying basis of noise-induced hearing loss may seem well-understood. After all, the name itself conveys a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. The common understanding is simply that loud sounds damage the hearing mechanisms in the ear, resulting in long-term and permanent hearing loss.
Though we’ve recognized this for some time now, we haven’t perfectly understood the inherent 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 regulation have a significant link according to this research.
How is hearing loss impacted by zinc?
Zinc is a mineral required for executing necessary bodily functions and the majority of people have plenty of it. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a part in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet provides enough zinc.
The link between zinc and hearing loss might, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. The link between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately apparent. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers engaged in some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud noise. In mice, as with humans, the fragile mechanisms of the ear become damaged when exposed to loud sound. In humans, this might first be experienced as a temporary muffling of sound. As an individual is regularly exposed to loud noise, this damage will become more severe and lasting. In both mice and humans, the body is not able to heal or repair this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some intriguing results in terms of free-floating zinc were discovered.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss happen because of these results. Usually, when zinc is in the body, it’s bound molecularly. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-related stresses. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to sensitive portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that produces hearing damage due to noise exposure.
Treating hearing loss
Over time, this type of understanding could help scientists stop noise-induced hearing loss from ever occurring, even in those people who are often exposed to loud noises. Unfortunately, these developments are likely still some ways off. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, you might be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several steps you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Detecting 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.
- Regulate your exposure to loud noises: This clearly includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But there are some more commonplace noises that can cause hearing loss that may be surprising, including things like a leaf blower, traffic, or individuals talking loudly in a busy office.
- Wear hearing protection: If there are noisy settings you want to be in, or merely can’t stay away from, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. A pair 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 form of hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be cured, though it can be managed quite effectively. Strategies developed to keep your hearing safe will be more effective 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. Your immediate role is to get your hearing evaluated and use ear protection.
