Groton Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
“Huh?” Does this sound typical when talking with your senior parents or grandparents (and sometimes your kids)? Hearing loss is so common. It is 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 work to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again deemed a culprit in this side-effect of aging.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Quite a few older Groton adults experience hearing loss. It’s annoying, but new research provides some direction on how to possibly prevent it. A group 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 linked to low-frequency and speech-frequency hearing loss as were 1-unit reductions in femoral neck BMD and total spine BMD. (1) Another 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 linked with cochlear ear health and function. It was proposed that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be examined for cochlear function. (2) Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office proposes starting with a test of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children who have a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% had 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 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 evaluating, 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 children and adults. When this sort of hearing loss is encountered, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered fully. 87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients and 12.5% of insufficient vitamin D level patients did not react 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 nutritional care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule 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 test them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.
