“Huh?” Does this sound familiar
when talking with your senior parents or grandparents
(and sometimes your kids)? Hearing loss is so
common. It is almost an
inescapable issue as we age. Does it have to be that way?
Researchers are looking at it, and OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
is following the study to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again considered
a culprit in this side-effect of aging.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Many older McHenry adults experience
hearing loss. It’s frustrating, but new research provides
some direction on how to potentially avert it. A group
of researchers pointed out that older folks are at
risk of hearing loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels are tested
in both conditions. Bone mineral density and hearing loss have been associated
in the research. These researchers revealed
that low vitamin D levels were associated to low-frequency and
speech-frequency hearing loss as were 1-unit decreases 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 proposed that patients with these vitamin
deficiencies should also be examined for cochlear
function. (2) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic proposes starting with a test of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children who have a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% experienced 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 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) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 needs special attention in children and
adults. When this type of hearing loss occurs, steroids are a typical treatment. Patients
with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered completely.
87.5% of patients with vitamin D deficiency
and 12.5% of patients with insufficient
vitamin D levels did not respond in any way. Vitamin
D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 McHenry chiropractic
appointment now. Whether you are fed up
with being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D
levels are important to us! Let us check
them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.