Types, Usage and Effects
Vitamins and supplements have long since been depicted as a necessary ingredient to a healthy lifestyle. From nutrient-filled smoothie stands, to aisles of highly-concentrated capsules at the local supermarket, society is urging people to increase their daily intake of nature's finest. With the understanding that most people are not getting all the right nutrients through their food, oral supplements have been manufactured to assist with the prevention of bone disease, improve digestion, increase immunity, and promote healthy vision. Only recently has hearing loss prevention and improvement come onto the scene as a viable option for the pill-popping inclined.
Research has shown the benefits of ingesting certain antioxidants before and after exposure to severe noise can prevent damage to the sensitive nerves within the ear, and thus limit the potential for permanent hearing impairment.
So how does it work?
Hearing Loss 101
To understand the science behind the supplements, we must first understand how hearing damage occurs. While there are only 3 main types of hearing loss, Conductive, Sensorineural and Mixed, there are a number of ways that these can develop. Conductive Hearing Loss refers to any damage to the nerves within the ear canal, the eardrum or the middle ear. When sound is not able to reach the inner ear to be processed as sound by the brain, it's indicative of Conductive Hearing Loss.
Possible causes for Conductive Hearing Loss can include a foreign body within the ear, ear infection, perforated eardrum, buildup of fluid or earwax, malformation of the ear, or poor function of the Eustachian tube. Conductive Hearing Loss is often treatable and treatment options vary from surgical procedures to anti-fungal medications, to conventional hearing aids.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss occurs when the hair cells within the inner ear have been damaged or destroyed. Causes range from noise-induced trauma, head trauma, and benign tumors to genetic predisposition and otoxic drugs (drugs which are used to treat serious illnesses yet can damage the ear). Obviously some instances of Sensorineural damage are more preventable than others and treatment options vary. Here we offer further information on the available treatment options.
Mixed Hearing Loss is a combination of both Conductive and Sensorineural and can result from a variety of reasons. When attempting to treat Mixed Hearing Loss, medical professionals will first attend to the damage within the middle and outer ear (Conductive Hearing Damage) to ensure that sound can successfully pass through the eardrum.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Of the many potential triggers for hearing impairment, supplements are usually used to prevent and improve damage caused by extreme noise exposure. Noise-induced hearing loss1 can result from one instance of sudden loud sounds, like an explosion, or chronic exposure to loud noises over time, like power tools, loud music, or aircraft noise. When the high decibels reach the nerves within the ear, the tiny hair cells which process the sound information are then damaged, and the sound therefore does not reach or get registered by the brain.
Supplements are designed to increase the body's natural immunity and therefore prevent the initial damage from occurring, or speed up possible recovery from temporary damage.
The Science Behind the Supplement
Research shows that intense sound vibrations caused by extreme noise exposure damage the hair cells within the ear by releasing what are called free radicals into the bloodstream. The body's natural reaction to release these destructive molecules is actually what causes the direct damage to the hair cells. Supplements1 containing high amounts of antioxidants3 have shown to protect against this cell damage. The antioxidants act as scavengers and prevent the free radicals form attacking the sensitive walls within the ear.
While initial studies were conducted to show the efficacy of certain antioxidants as a preventative measure and short-term treatment, further research has shown that 