Vancouver Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss

”What did you say?” Does this sound typical when talking with your older parents or grandparents (and sometimes your children)? Hearing loss is so common. It’s almost a foregone conclusion as we age. Does it have to be that way? Researchers are researching it, and Vancouver Disc Centers 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 Vancouver adults suffer hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research provides some direction on how to potentially avert it. A set of researchers pointed out that older folks are at risk of hearing loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels are considered in both conditions. Bone mineral density and hearing loss have been associated in the research. These researchers found 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 suggested that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear function. (2) Vancouver Disc Centers proposes starting with a look at your vitamin levels!

HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN

In children with 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 apt to experience sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less liable to improve over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency and a femur fracture, a significantly higher rate of hearing loss was seen. Children with low calcium levels were also at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Vancouver Disc Centers looks out for the kids, too. Their vitamin levels and hearing need testing, too!

SUDDEN ONSET HEARING LOSS AND VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss is another subclass of hearing loss that requires special attention in children and adults. When this kind of hearing loss occurs, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with adequate vitamin D levels recovered fully. 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 Vancouver Disc Centers

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the nutritional care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic appointment soon. Whether you are sick of being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D levels are of consequence to us! Let us check them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.