”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 get older. Does it have to be though?
Researchers are researching it, and Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center
is following the study to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again deemed
a culprit in this aging side-effect.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Quite a few older Pensacola adults experience
hearing loss. It’s annoying, but new research provides
some direction on how to possibly prevent it. A set
of researchers indicated 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 linked. These researchers found
that low vitamin D levels were linked 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 linked with cochlear ear health and
function. It was proposed that patients with these vitamin
deficiencies should also be examined for cochlear
function. (2) Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center proposes starting with a look at your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with vitamin
D deficiency, 53.4% sufferered hearing loss with 17%
experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (as well as
children with low calcium levels) were more apt to have
sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less liable
to improve 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 found to be
at increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center
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 subclass
of hearing loss that needs special attention in adults or children. When this sort of hearing loss occurs, steroids are a common treatment. Patients
with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered fully.
87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients
and 12.5% of patients with insufficient
vitamin D levels did not respond at all. Vitamin
D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center
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 Pensacola 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’s check
them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."