“Huh?” Does this sound familiar
when talking with your older parents or grandparents
(and occasionally your kids)? Hearing loss is so
common. It is almost a foregone conclusion as we age. Does it have to be though?
Researchers are studying it, and Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
is following the work to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again considered
a culprit in this aging side-effect.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Quite a few older Montreal adults suffer
hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research offers
some direction on how to possibly avert it. A group
of researchers pointed out 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 discovered
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
without 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 suggested that patients with these vitamin
deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear
function. (2) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic proposes starting with a test of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children who have vitamin
D deficiency, 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 liable
to get better over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency and 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) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 children and
adults. When this kind of hearing loss is
encountered, steroids are a typical treatment. Patients
with adequate vitamin D levels recovered completely.
87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients
and 12.5% of patients with insufficient
vitamin D levels did not react in any way. Vitamin
D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 Montreal chiropractic
appointment soon. 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 test
them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.