”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 an
inescapable issue as we get older. Does it have to be that way?
Researchers are studying it, and Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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
Quite a few older Toronto adults suffer
hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research provides
some direction on how to potentially avert it. A group
of researchers pointed out that older people are at
risk of hearing loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels are considered
in both conditions. Bone mineral density and hearing loss have been associated
in the research. 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) 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 checked for cochlear
function. (2) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre proposes starting with a look at your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with a deficiency of vitamin D, 53.4% had 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 liable
to improve over time. Children with vitamin D deficiency as
well as a femur fracture, a significantly higher rate of hearing loss was
noted. Children with low calcium levels were found to be
at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 subclass
of hearing loss that needs special attention in adults or children. When this sort 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 insufficient vitamin D level patients did not react in any way. Vitamin
D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin
D is so important!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 Toronto chiropractic
appointment now. Whether you are tired of 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.