”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.
"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."