The underlying basis of noise-induced hearing loss might seem well-understood. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect connection is indicated by the name, after all. Our fundamental understanding is that permanent hearing damage is a result of exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.
And while that’s accurate, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well understood. That’s improving, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud noises. This research reveals that there’s an important link between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it affect hearing loss?
Zinc is a mineral needed for carrying out necessary bodily functions and the majority of individuals have an abundance of it. Healthy levels of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain interprets chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet provides enough zinc.
At first glance, it might be difficult to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The relationship between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, immediately obvious. However, a novel experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers performed some analysis on mice that were exposed to loud sound. When exposed to loud noises, the same thing happens to mice as happens to humans: the sensitive parts of the ear become damaged. 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. This damage can’t be healed 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 picture of how the symptoms of noise-related hearing loss occur 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 behaves the same way in humans.
The free-floating zinc triggers damage to fragile parts of the inner ear that are essential in order to hear clearly. Scientists are now thinking that this is one of the mechanisms that causes hearing damage related to noise exposure.
How to treat hearing loss
Over time, this sort of understanding could help scientists stop noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are often exposed to loud noises. However, it may be some time before those developments become a viable reality. But there are still other ways to safeguard your ears.
So, how can you protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss?
There are several strategies you may utilize to safeguard your ears:
- Limit your exposure to loud sounds: This obviously includes noises like jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But most people would also be surprised to discover that everyday noises like chatty workplaces, traffic, or lawnmowers can also result in hearing damage.
- Use ear protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears cope with noisy environments that you can’t, or don’t want to stay away from. A set of earplugs can, for instance, allow you to attend that loud concert and still be able to hear the music but also provide some protection against permanent hearing loss.
- Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing test (and routinely checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you cure noise-related hearing loss? Sadly no. This type of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t 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 promising, we still have a ways to go. But we appear to be getting closer to understanding. On an individual level, it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.
