Burlington and Hamilton Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss

“Huh?” Does this sound typical when chatting with your older parents or grandparents (and occasionally your kids)? Hearing loss is so common. It’s almost a foregone conclusion as we get older. Does it have to be that way? Researchers are studying it, and Spinal Care Clinic is following the study 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 Burlington and Hamilton adults suffer hearing loss. It is frustrating, but new research offers some direction on how to potentially prevent it. A set of researchers pointed out that older folks are at risk of hearing loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels are considered in both conditions. Bone mineral density and hearing loss have been linked. 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 – 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 checked for cochlear function. (2) Spinal Care Clinic proposes starting with a test of your vitamin levels!

HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN

In children with 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 apt to experience 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 seen. Children with low calcium levels were found to be at increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Spinal Care 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 subset of hearing loss that requires special attention in adults or children. When this kind of hearing loss happens, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with adequate vitamin D levels recovered fully. 87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients and 12.5% of insufficient vitamin D level patients did not respond at all. Vitamin D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!

CONTACT Spinal Care 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.

Make your Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic appointment today. 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 check them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.