Easley Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
“Huh?” Does this sound typical when talking with your senior parents or grandparents (and occasionally your children)? Hearing loss is so common. It’s practically an inescapable issue as we age. Does it have to be that way? Researchers are looking at it, and Young Chiropractic is following the work to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again considered a culprit in this side-effect of aging.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Quite a few older Easley adults suffer hearing loss. It’s annoying, but new research gives some direction on how to possibly prevent it. A group of researchers pointed out that older people are at risk of hearing loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels are tested in both conditions. Bone mineral density and hearing loss have been linked. These researchers discovered that low vitamin D levels were associated to low-frequency and speech-frequency hearing loss as were 1-unit reductions in femoral neck BMD and total spine BMD. (1) An additional study of participants without apparent hearing loss – 30 low in vitamin D, 30 low in vitamin B12, 30 controls – found that B12 and vitamin D deficiencies were significantly associated with cochlear ear health and function. It was suggested that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be checked for cochlear function. (2) Young Chiropractic proposes starting with a test of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children who have vitamin D deficiency, 53.4% experienced hearing loss with 17% experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (as well as children with low calcium levels) were more likely to experience sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less liable to get better over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency as well as a femur fracture, a significantly higher rate of hearing loss was noted. Children with low calcium levels were found to be at increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Young Chiropractic looks out for the kids, too. Their vitamin levels and hearing need evaluating, too!
SUDDEN ONSET HEARING LOSS AND VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss is another subset of hearing loss that needs special attention in adults or children. When this kind of hearing loss happens, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with adequate vitamin D levels recovered completely. 87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients and 12.5% of patients with insufficient vitamin D levels did not react at all. Vitamin D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!
CONTACT Young Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the role of nutrition in the care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Easley chiropractic appointment soon. Whether you are tired of being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D levels are of consequence to us! Let’s check them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.
