5. Biochemistry

Low Iron Levels May Be Linked to Hearing Loss

(MILLER)

People with low iron levels may develop a condition called “iron deficiency anemia”, which has “wide-ranging effects throughout the body”, and a new study published in the journal “JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery” suggests iron deficiency anemia is also linked with hearing loss. The researchers looked at data from the medical records of more than 300,000 adults in Hershey, Pennsylvania, who were all between the ages of 21 and 90. In the study, adults who had iron deficiency anemia were 2.4 times more likely to develop combined hearing loss compared with those who did not have iron deficiency anemia.  People with iron deficiency anemia were also 1.8 times more likely to have sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss can develop when damage occurs to the tiny blood vessels in the ear, and iron deficiency anemia can put a person at risk for such damage because the condition has been “linked to problems with myelin, a sheath that surrounds nerve cells, including the nerve that runs from the ear to the brain”, according to a team led by Kathleen Schieffer, a doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, wrote in the study. “Iron deficiency anemia can be treated easily with iron supplements, so future studies should focus on whether this can help prevent hearing loss, the researchers wrote”.

This topic can influence, change, or impact my life, because iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and if anemia is left untreated, it can result in severe fatigue, pregnancy complications, heart problems, and even death ( usually sickle cell anemia).  To avoid getting iron deficiency anemia and eventually losing my hearing because of combined or Sensorineural hearing loss, I will change or incorporate new food into my diet because I do not want to have a hearing-aid until I am an elderly. This type of diet would include: red meats, dark green- leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, and iron-fortified cereals because all these foods are high in iron. I will also lessen my use of earbuds and headphones. This is because Long-term exposure to loud music can cause sensorineural hearing loss. Most MP3 players and other music devices today can produce sounds which are equivalent to a sound level at a rock concert. In conclusion, this article has inspired me to increase my iron intake by eating more iron-rich foods so my chances of developing hearing loss will decrease.

Works cited

Main article: Miller, Sara. “Low Iron Levels May Be Linked to Hearing Loss.” LiveScience, 30 Dec. 2016, http://www.livescience.com/57354-iron-deficiency-anemia-linked-to-hearing-loss.html. Accessed 3 Jan. 2017.

Publishing, IAC. Hearing Loss from Headphones and Earphones. 2016, https://www.symptomfind.com/health/hearing-loss-from-headphones-and-earphones/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2017.

Clinic, Mayo. “Symptoms and Causes - Anemia - Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic, 6 Aug. 2016, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/dxc-20183157. Accessed 2 Jan. 2017.