”What did you say?” Does this sound familiar
when talking with your older parents or grandparents
(and sometimes your kids)? 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 Satterwhite Chiropractic
is following the work to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again considered
a culprit in this side-effect of aging.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Many older Oxford adults experience
hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research offers
some direction on how to possibly prevent it. A group
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 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 decreases 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 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 proposes starting with a look at your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with vitamin
D deficiency, 53.4% experienced hearing loss with 17%
experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (and
children with low calcium levels) were more likely to have
sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less likely
to get better over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency and a femur fracture, a significantly higher rate of hearing loss was
noted. Children with low calcium levels were also
at higher 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 type
of hearing loss that needs special attention in adults or children. When this type of hearing loss occurs, 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 respond at all. Vitamin
D was more evident 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 illustrates 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 important to us! Let us check
them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.