Richmond Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
“Huh?” Does this sound familiar when chatting with your older parents or grandparents (and sometimes your children)? Hearing loss is so common. It is almost a foregone conclusion as we age. Does it have to be though? Researchers are researching it, and Johnson 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 Richmond adults experience hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research offers some direction on how to possibly prevent it. A set of researchers indicated that older people 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 found 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) 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 linked with cochlear ear health and function. It was suggested that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be examined for cochlear function. (2) Johnson Chiropractic proposes starting with a look at your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% sufferered hearing loss with 17% experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (and children with low calcium levels) were more apt 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 noted. Children with low calcium levels were also at increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Johnson Chiropractic 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 requires special attention in adults or children. When this kind of hearing loss is encountered, steroids are a common 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 in any way. Vitamin D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
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 Richmond chiropractic appointment soon. Whether you are tired 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.
