”What did you say?” Does this sound typical
when talking with your senior parents or grandparents
(and occasionally your children)? Hearing loss is so
common. It is practically a foregone conclusion as we age. Does it have to be that way?
Researchers are looking at it, and Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
is following the study to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again deemed
a culprit in this side-effect of aging.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Many older Manchester adults suffer
hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research provides
some direction on how to possibly avert it. A set
of researchers pointed out that older folks 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 revealed
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
with no apparent hearing loss – 30 low in vitamin D, 30 low in
vitamin B12, 30 controls – documented that B12 and vitamin D deficiencies
were significantly associated with cochlear ear health and
function. It was proposed that patients with these vitamin
deficiencies should also be checked for cochlear
function. (2) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries proposes starting with a test of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% had hearing loss with 17%
experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (and
children with low calcium levels) were more apt to have
sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less likely
to get better over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency as
well as a femur fracture, a significantly higher rate of hearing loss was
seen. Children with low calcium levels were also
at increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
looks out for the kids, too. Their vitamin levels and hearing need checking,
too!
SUDDEN ONSET HEARING LOSS AND VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss is another subset
of hearing loss that requires special attention in adults or children. When this kind of hearing loss is
encountered, steroids are a common treatment. Patients
with adequate vitamin D levels recovered completely.
87.5% of patients with vitamin D deficiency
and 12.5% of insufficient vitamin D level patients did not respond in any way. Vitamin
D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr.
Michael Johnson as he illustrates the nutritional care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Manchester chiropractic
appointment soon. Whether you are sick of being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D
levels are important to us! Let us check
them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.