Pflugerville Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss

”What did you say?” Does this sound familiar when chatting with your senior parents or grandparents (and occasionally your kids)? Hearing loss is so common. It is practically a foregone conclusion as we get older. Does it have to be that way? Researchers are studying it, and Pflugerville Wellness Center 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 Pflugerville adults experience hearing loss. It’s frustrating, but new research gives some direction on how to potentially 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 linked. These researchers revealed 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 associated with cochlear ear health and function. It was proposed that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be examined for cochlear function. (2) Pflugerville Wellness Center proposes starting with a test of 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 (as well as children with low calcium levels) were more likely 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 increased risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Pflugerville Wellness Center looks out for the kids, too. Their vitamin levels and hearing need evaluating, 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 children and adults. When this kind of hearing loss happens, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered fully. 87.5% of vitamin D deficient patients 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 Pflugerville Wellness Center

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.

Schedule your Pflugerville 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’s test them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.

 
Pflugerville Wellness Center presents recent research about low vitamin D levels and hearing loss.  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."