“Huh?” Does this sound familiar
when chatting with your senior parents or grandparents
(and sometimes your kids)? Hearing loss is so
common. It’s practically a foregone conclusion as we age. Does it have to be though?
Researchers are researching it, and Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
is following the study to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again considered
a culprit in this aging side-effect.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Many older Groton adults suffer
hearing loss. It is frustrating, but new research provides
some direction on how to possibly avert it. A group
of researchers indicated 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 recommended that patients with these vitamin
deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear
function. (2) Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office proposes starting with a review
of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% sufferered 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 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
noted. Children with low calcium levels were also
at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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 adults or children. When this type of hearing loss occurs, steroids are a typical 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 respond in any way. Vitamin
D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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.
Make your Groton chiropractic
appointment now. 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.