The Relationship Between Hearing Damage and Zinc Intake

The underlying foundation of noise-related hearing loss might seem well-founded. A fairly clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship is suggested by the name, after all. Our basic understanding is that irreversible hearing damage is caused by exposure to overly loud sound over a long period of time.

And while that’s relevant, the mechanisms behind that cause have not always been so well understood. But because of recent research, we’re developing a deeper understanding of noise-related hearing loss, including the role of zinc intake after being exposed to loud noises. Hearing loss and zinc regulation have a significant link according to this research.

How is hearing loss affected by zinc?

Zinc is a commonplace mineral. The majority of people have an abundance of zinc in their bodies, performing specific and necessary functions. Zinc helps your brain translate chemical signals and is linked to immune system functions. With a few exceptions, most individuals get plenty of zinc from their food every day.

At first glance, it might be challenging to determine the connection between hearing loss and zinc. The connection between zinc and hearing isn’t, after all, instantly apparent. A new experiment has started to reveal what’s going on, however.

Researchers exposed mice to loud sounds and performed a few analyses afterward. 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. This will become more acute and more permanent as chronic noise exposure continues. In both mice and humans, the body is not capable of healing or repairing 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?

Because of this result, scientists now have a better understanding of how noise-related hearing loss symptoms occur. Usually, zinc in the body is molecularly bound. During the experiment, researchers observed 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.

This zinc de-regulation ends up causing cellular damage to the inner ear, especially to the parts of the inner ear responsible for clear hearing. This is the mechanism that scientists now think results in the type of damage that causes noise-related hearing loss.

How to treat hearing loss

In the future, this sort of understanding could help scientists prevent noise-related hearing loss from ever happening, even in those individuals who are often subjected to loud noises. Unfortunately, these advancements are likely still some ways off. But that doesn’t mean your ears can’t be protected.

So, you may be wondering: how can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?

There are a number of approaches you may utilize to protect your ears:

• Regularly check in with your hearing specialist: Undergoing a hearing screening (and regularly checking in with us) can help identify damage early.
• Limit your exposure to loud sounds: This clearly includes noises such as jet engines, concerts, or sporting events. But many people would also be surprised to learn that everyday sounds like chatty offices, traffic, or lawnmowers can also lead to hearing damage.
• Wear hearing protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs can help your ears cope with noisy settings that you can’t, or don’t want to avoid. If you attend that concert, for instance, wear a set of ear plugs to ensure you can still hear, but that your ears don’t become permanently damaged as a result.

Protect your ears by understanding causes

Can noise-related hearing loss be reversed? Regrettably not. This form of hearing loss and tinnitus can’t be cured, though it can be managed very effectively. Strategies created to keep your hearing safe will be more effective the better you understand the mechanisms behind hearing loss.

Although this research is promising, we still have a ways to go. But we seem to be getting closer to understanding. On an individual level, it’s crucial to take measures to protect your hearing and check in with your hearing specialist.