{"id":1899,"date":"2024-03-08T23:05:58","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T23:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nalent.com\/?p=1899"},"modified":"2024-03-08T23:05:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T23:05:59","slug":"recent-research-reveals-link-between-zinc-and-noise-related-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nalent.com\/recent-research-reveals-link-between-zinc-and-noise-related-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Recent Research Reveals Link Between Zinc and Noise-Related Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Researchers have recently made a breakthrough in the effort to understand the cause of noise-induced hearing<\/a> loss. Nearly 15% of American adults experience some form of hearing loss,<\/a> most of which is caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises. This discovery could be a key to learning how to protect hearing in other ways.<\/p>\n\n\n

The Role of Zinc<\/h2>\n\n
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The study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh<\/a> revealed that during exposure to loud noise, excess zinc in the body concentrates around the ear\u2019s inner ear hair cells. Usually, most zinc in the body is bound to proteins, but approximately 10% is free-floating. After traumatic levels of noise, the free-floating zinc becomes disregulated in the hair cells in the cochlea, disrupting communication between sensory cells in the inner ear. The findings of the study suggest that in the future, inner ear damage and hearing loss could be protected by targeting the excess zinc.<\/p>\n\n\n

Protecting Your Hearing<\/h2>\n\n\n

While this research progresses, it\u2019s still important to take steps to protect your hearing from exposure to loud noises. Consider the following to safeguard your hearing in the future:<\/p>\n\n\n\n