La Grande Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss
“Huh?” Does this sound familiar when chatting with your senior parents or grandparents (and sometimes your kids)? Hearing loss is so common. It is almost an inescapable issue as we age. Does it have to be that way? Researchers are looking at it, and Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is following the work to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again considered a culprit in this aging side-effect.
HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
Many older La Grande adults suffer hearing loss. It’s frustrating, but new research provides 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 considered in both conditions. Bone mineral density and hearing loss have been linked. These researchers found 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 linked with cochlear ear health and function. It was proposed that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be tested for cochlear function. (2) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC proposes starting with a review of your vitamin levels!
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
In children with vitamin D deficiency, 53.4% had hearing loss with 17% experiencing moderate-profound hearing loss. These children (as well as children with low calcium levels) were more apt 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 seen. Children with low calcium levels were found to be at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC 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 occurs, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with adequate vitamin D levels recovered fully. 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 Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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 La Grande 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 check them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.
