Sitka Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
”What did you say?” Does this sound familiar when talking with your senior parents or grandparents (and sometimes your kids)? Hearing loss is so common. It is practically an inescapable issue as we get older. Does it have to be though? Researchers are researching it, and Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka 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 Sitka adults experience hearing loss. It’s annoying, but new research offers some direction on how to potentially prevent it. A group of researchers indicated 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 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 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 linked with cochlear ear health and function. It was proposed that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear function. (2) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka proposes starting with a review of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children who have vitamin D deficiency, 53.4% had hearing loss with 17% experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (and children with low calcium levels) were more likely to experience sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less likely to get better 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 also at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka 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 requires special attention in children and adults. When this kind of hearing loss is encountered, 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 respond in any way. Vitamin D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
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 Sitka chiropractic appointment now. Whether you are sick of being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D levels are important to us! Let’s check them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.
