Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh in the USA found that hearing loss caused by loud noise is associated with an excess of zinc mineral, which is necessary for the cells in the inner ear to function properly. results published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
It is known that exposure to impact sound (such as the sound of a gunshot or horn) can cause sudden hearing loss. The fact is that sound overstimulates sensitive auditory cells, which leads to irreversible damage. American scientists tried to find out exactly what molecular mechanisms underlie cell destruction.
In experiments on laboratory mice, researchers found that zinc levels in the mice’s inner cells increased sharply within a few hours of exposure to loud noise. Exposure to loud sounds causes an intense release of zinc into the external and intracellular spaces, which ultimately leads to cell damage and disrupts normal intercellular communication.
This hearing loss has also been found to be partially reversible. The scientific team found that there are drugs that work like “molecular sponges.” They can trap and neutralize excess free zinc in tissues. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for deafness.
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