”What did you say?” Does this sound familiar
when chatting with your older parents or grandparents
(and occasionally your kids)? Hearing loss is so
common. It’s practically a foregone conclusion as we get older. Does it have to be that way?
Researchers are studying it, and Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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
Quite a few older West Des Moines adults experience
hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research gives
some direction on how to possibly avert it. A set
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 linked. These researchers revealed
that low vitamin D levels were linked 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
without 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 recommended that patients with these vitamin
deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear
function. (2) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa proposes starting with a look at your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% experienced 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 liable
to get better over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency and a femur fracture, a significantly higher rate of hearing loss was
noted. Children with low calcium levels were also
at increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
looks out for the kids, too. Their vitamin levels and hearing need checking,
too!
SUDDEN ONSET HEARING LOSS AND VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss is another type
of hearing loss that needs special attention in adults or children. When this kind of hearing loss occurs, steroids are a typical treatment. Patients
with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered fully.
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 evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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 West Des Moines chiropractic
appointment now. Whether you are fed up
with being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D
levels are of consequence to us! Let us check
them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.