Oxford Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
”What did you say?” Does this sound typical when chatting with your older parents or grandparents (and sometimes your kids)? Hearing loss is so common. It’s almost a foregone conclusion as we get older. Does it have to be though? Researchers are studying it, and Satterwhite 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
Quite a few older Oxford adults experience hearing loss. It’s frustrating, but new research provides some direction on how to potentially avert it. A set of researchers pointed out 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 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) Another 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 associated with cochlear ear health and function. It was recommended that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear function. (2) Satterwhite Chiropractic suggests starting with a look at your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children who have a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% experienced 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 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 increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Satterwhite Chiropractic 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 subset of hearing loss that needs special attention in adults or children. When this type of hearing loss happens, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered completely. 87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients and 12.5% of patients with insufficient vitamin D levels did not respond in any way. Vitamin D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the role of nutrition in the care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Oxford chiropractic appointment now. 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.
