“Huh?” Does this sound typical
when chatting with your older parents or grandparents
(and occasionally your kids)? Hearing loss is so
common. It is practically an
inescapable issue as we get older. Does it have to be that way?
Researchers are looking at it, and Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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
Many older La Grande adults suffer
hearing loss. It’s frustrating, but new research provides
some direction on how to possibly avert it. A set
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 reductions in
femoral neck BMD and total spine BMD. (1) Another 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 examined for cochlear
function. (2) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC suggests 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 (as well as
children with low calcium levels) were more apt to experience
sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less likely
to improve 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 also
at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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 subset
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 patients with vitamin D deficiency
and 12.5% of patients with insufficient
vitamin D levels did not react at all. Vitamin
D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr.
Michael Johnson as he describes the nutritional care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your La Grande chiropractic
appointment soon. Whether you are sick of 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.