Richmond Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss

“Huh?” Does this sound familiar when chatting with your older parents or grandparents (and occasionally your children)? Hearing loss is so common. It’s almost a foregone conclusion as we get older. Does it have to be though? Researchers are studying it, and Johnson Chiropractic 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 Richmond adults suffer hearing loss. It is annoying, but new research provides some direction on how to potentially avert it. A set 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 linked. These researchers discovered 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 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 proposed that patients with these vitamin deficiencies should also be examined for cochlear function. (2) Johnson Chiropractic proposes starting with a review of your vitamin levels!

HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN

In children who have 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 apt to have sensorineural hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that is less liable 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) Johnson Chiropractic looks out for the kids, too. Their vitamin levels and hearing need checking, 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 happens, steroids are a common treatment. Patients with adequate vitamin D levels recovered fully. 87.5% of patients with vitamin D deficiency and 12.5% of insufficient vitamin D level patients did not react in any way. Vitamin D was more obvious in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!

CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the role of nutrition in the care of the disc and spine in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Schedule your Richmond chiropractic appointment now. 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 us test them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.