Williamson Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
”What did you say?” Does this sound typical when talking with your older 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 Apple Country Chiropractic 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
Many older Williamson adults suffer hearing loss. It’s frustrating, but new research gives some direction on how to possibly avert it. A set of researchers indicated that older people 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 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 – found that B12 and vitamin D deficiencies were significantly associated with cochlear ear health and function. It was suggested that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be checked for cochlear function. (2) Apple Country Chiropractic proposes starting with a test of 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 (and children with low calcium levels) were more likely to have 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 higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Apple Country Chiropractic 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 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 vitamin D deficient patients and 12.5% of insufficient vitamin D level patients did not react in any way. Vitamin D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the role of nutrition in the care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic appointment soon. Whether you are tired of being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D levels are important to us! Let’s test them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.
