Audiologists Think Microplastics Might Be Affecting Your Hearing

Microplastics are a hot-button issue when talking about our environmental impact. There’s a lot of concern about their effects on human health and what kind of risks they pose.

A new study has emerged that suggests microplastics may be causing hearing loss and balance issues in mice. Let’s take a closer look at this study and what it means.

The Study

The goal of the study was to determine what impact microplastics, particularly polyethylene (PE), have on the inner ears of mice. Researchers wanted to find out if microplastics accumulating in the inner ear cause hearing impairment and loss of balance.

The Findings

Key findings of the study are:

• Microplastics accumulate in the ear – it was confirmed that microplastic particles accumulate in the inner cochlea and vestibular region of the inner in mice. The highest concentration of particles was found in the basal turn of the cochlea. It’s hypothesized that this is due to it being nearest to a blood supply.
• Hearing loss and balance issues – mice that were exposed to PE exhibited significant increases in hearing thresholds, which indicates hearing loss. These mice also showed balance disorders in various behavioural tests such as treadmill and rotarod tests, which assess motor coordination and balance stability.
• Changes in gene expression – the details are very technical, but the study noted that there was an upregulation of genes that are associated with inflammation and apoptosis, which suggests inner ear damage.
• Decreased glucose metabolism – researchers also found a decreased glucose metabolism in PE-exposed mice, which aligns with findings of hearing loss.

What Does This Mean?

There is a lot of concern around microplastics and this study highlights the potential health risks associated with exposure to them. Microplastics potentially cause loss of hearing and balance in mice, raising concerns about their long-term impact on human health.

Of course, further study is needed to find out exactly why this happens. There is also a need to study different sizes and types of microplastics in order to develop a comprehensive risk assessment.

A Hearing Test Can Determine If You’re Suffering Hearing Loss

After reading about the study, you’re probably concerned about your own hearing. Hearing loss can sneak up on you, especially if you are regularly in loud environments, such as concerts or if you work in construction.

Fortunately, hearing loss is easy to test for. A qualified audiologist can assess your hearing through a comprehensive hearing test to determine if there is any damage or loss.

Protect Your Hearing from Further Loss

You can take precautions to protect yourself against some forms of hearing loss. Hearing protection, such as earplugs, can safeguard your hearing when you’re in loud environments.

Soundwave Hearing Care – Your Source for Hearing Tests

Soundwave Hearing Care is the go-to source for hearing tests from reputable audiologists in Alberta. If you’re concerned about hearing loss, maybe you’ve noticed you don’t hear as well as you used to, you have to ask people to repeat themselves, or you are exposed to loud noise regularly, calling our experts to schedule a hearing test. We can also provide custom hearing protection solutions to safeguard your ears against damage. Contact us today for an appointment.