Largo Hearing Loss May Be Related to Vitamin D Loss

“Huh?” Does this sound familiar when chatting with your senior parents or grandparents (and occasionally your children)? Hearing loss is so common. It is almost a foregone conclusion as we age. Does it have to be though? Researchers are looking at it, and Hollstrom & Associates Inc is following the work to incorporate into our nutrition care! Vitamin D deficiency is again deemed a culprit in this side-effect of aging.

HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS

Quite a few older Largo adults suffer hearing loss. It’s annoying, but new research provides some direction on how to potentially prevent 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 found 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 with no 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 examined for cochlear function. (2) Hollstrom & Associates Inc proposes starting with a review 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 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 also at higher risk of moderate-profound hearing loss. (3) Hollstrom & Associates Inc 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 sort of hearing loss occurs, 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 respond in any way. Vitamin D was more evident in SSNHL patients than healthy patients. (4) Vitamin D is so important!

CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc

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 Largo chiropractic appointment now. Whether you are sick of being the one asking “Huh?” or answering “Huh?,” you and your vitamin D levels are important to us! Let us test them out for your hearing loss risk and your risk of osteoporosis’ sake.