It might seem as if the roots of noise-induced hearing loss are functionally well-established. A fairly obvious cause-and-effect connection is indicated by the name, after all. The common understanding is simply that loud noises 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 completely understood the underlying mechanisms behind it. That’s changing, thanks to emerging research into the role of zinc regulation after exposure to loud sounds. This research suggests that there’s a significant connection between zinc and hearing loss.
What is zinc? And how does it impact hearing loss?
Zinc is a common mineral. Most individuals have plenty of zinc in their bodies, carrying out specific and essential functions. Healthy amounts of zinc are linked to a well-functioning immune system and play a role in how well your brain translates chemical signals. In most cases, a person’s diet provides enough zinc.
The link between zinc and hearing loss may, at first glance, be difficult to identify. After all, it isn’t immediately clear what role zinc plays in your hearing. However, a unique experiment has shed some light on what’s happening.
Researchers performed 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 noise. In humans, this may first be encountered as a temporary muffling of sound. This will become more serious and more permanent as persistent noise exposure continues. This damage can’t be healed in either humans or mice.
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?
Because of this research, scientists now better understand how noise-induced hearing loss symptoms happen. Typically, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. Researchers discovered zinc in free-floating form when the experiment’s mice were subjected to loud noise. Zinc most likely responds the same way in humans.
This zinc de-regulation winds up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, specifically to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now believe leads to the kind of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.
Managing hearing loss
Over time, this type of understanding could help scientists prevent noise-induced hearing loss from ever happening, even in those people who are often 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, you may be wondering: how can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Here are several measures you can take to safeguard your hearing:
- 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 offices, traffic, or leaf blowers can also lead to hearing damage.
- Use ear protection: If there are noisy environments you want to be in, or simply can’t avoid, ear plugs and ear muffs can help decrease 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 permanently damaged as a consequence.
- Routinely check in with your hearing specialist: Discovering damage as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage, and coming in to see us for a routine hearing test is the best way to do that.
Understand the causes, protect your ears
Can you reverse noise-induced hearing loss? Sadly no. Although 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 tailored to keep your hearing safe.
This research is likely just the first step in a longer undertaking. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. Your immediate role is to get your hearing examined and use ear protection.