The underlying foundation of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-understood. After all, the name itself indicates a fairly straightforward cause-and-effect relationship. Our basic understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud noise over a long period of time.
And while that’s true, the mechanisms underpinning that cause have not always been so well established. But because of recent 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. 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 mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and most people have plenty of it. 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.
The link between zinc and hearing loss may, at first sight, be difficult to recognize. After all, it’s not instantly clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. A new experiment has started to reveal what’s going on, however.
Researchers engaged in 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 might first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more acute and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. In both mice and humans, the body isn’t able to heal or repair this damage.
After taking some blood samples from the mice, some fascinating results in terms of free-floating zinc were revealed.
Is hearing loss caused or helped by zinc?
Scientists now have a greater picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss happen because of these results. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers noticed that zinc became free-floating when the ears were exposed to loud noises and sound-induced stresses. Zinc most likely reacts the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to delicate portions of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe results in the kind of damage that causes noise-induced hearing loss.
How to manage hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding could help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are frequently subjected to loud noises. However, it may be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.
So, how can you safeguard yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
Here are several measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- Limit your exposure to loud noises: Sporting events, concerts, and jet engines come under this category. But most individuals would also be surprised to learn that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Wear ear protection: If there are loud environments you want to be in, or simply can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help minimize the damage. If you attend 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.
- Consistently check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help detect damage early.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Unfortunately not. Though you can successfully treat this type of hearing loss and any related tinnitus, it has no cure. Better understanding the causes of hearing loss and the mechanisms by which hearing loss works can help hearing specialists (and you) develop better strategies 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 checked and use ear protection.