Excess Zinc in Inner Ear Linked to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Study Suggests Potential New Therapy for Humans

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States United States of America
Another study by Tzounopoulos and his team has discovered a biological mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss caused by an excess of free-floating zinc in the inner ear. They found that reducing free zinc levels could protect hearing by treating inner ear damage from noise trauma.
A study by Thanos Tzounopoulos and his team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has identified a molecular mechanism linked to cellular damage from excess zinc in the inner ear as a key factor in noise-induced hearing loss. The researchers found that treatment with a compound that traps excess zinc can prevent or reduce hearing loss in mice, suggesting potential new therapy for humans.
Loud noises can cause hearing loss due to damage in the inner ear.
Excess Zinc in Inner Ear Linked to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Study Suggests Potential New Therapy for Humans

Loud noises can cause hearing loss due to damage in the inner ear. A study by Thanos Tzounopoulos and his team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has identified a molecular mechanism linked to cellular damage from excess zinc in the inner ear as a key factor in noise-induced hearing loss. The researchers found that treatment with a compound that traps excess zinc can prevent or reduce hearing loss in mice, suggesting potential new therapy for humans. Another study by Tzounopoulos and his team has discovered a biological mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss caused by an excess of free-floating zinc in the inner ear. They found that reducing free zinc levels could protect hearing by treating inner ear damage from noise trauma.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It's not clear if this study will translate into effective treatment for humans.

Sources

71%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Scientists discover biological mechanism of hearing loss caused by loud noise, and find a way to prevent it

MedicalXpress Science X Tuesday, 13 February 2024 13:42
  • Unique Points
    • Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss that stems from cellular damage in the inner ear associated with an excess of free-floating zinc.
    • <Experiments showed that a slow-releasing compound that trapped excess free zinc was less prone to hearing loss and protected from noise-induced damage in mice.
    • The highest concentration of free zinc in the body is in the cochlea, which converts vibrations into electrical signals that are then interpreted as sound
    • <Reducing free zinc levels could protect hearing by treating inner ear damage from noise trauma>
  • Accuracy
    • Researchers have found that hours after mice are exposed to loud noise, their inner ear zinc level spikes and this leads to cellular damage and disrupts normal cell-to-cell communication.
    • Reducing free zinc levels could protect hearing by treating inner ear damage from noise trauma
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that scientists have discovered a way to prevent hearing loss caused by loud noise when in fact they only found a mechanism for it and developed medication to mitigate its effects. Secondly, the author claims that some people experience temporary or permanent hearing loss after exposure to loud noises but fails to mention that this is not always the case. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'ringing ears' and 'debilitating tinnitus' which can be misleading for readers who may think these are common occurrences when in fact they are rare. Lastly, the author fails to disclose any sources used in their research.
    • The title implies that scientists have discovered a way to prevent hearing loss caused by loud noise but only found a mechanism for it and developed medication to mitigate its effects.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article discusses the discovery of a biological mechanism for hearing loss caused by loud noise and presents a potential solution to prevent it. The author uses an appeal to authority when citing their own research as evidence for their claims. Additionally, they use inflammatory rhetoric when describing how debilitating noise-induced hearing loss can be.
    • Bias (85%)
      The article discusses the biological mechanism of hearing loss caused by loud noise and presents a solution to prevent it. The author mentions that some people experience temporary or permanent hearing loss after exposure to loud noises. They also mention that this condition can be debilitating for those who develop tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        The article discusses the biological mechanism of hearing loss caused by loud noise and presents a solution to prevent it. However, there are several examples of conflicts of interest that could compromise the objectivity and impartiality of Science X.
        • Amantha Thathiah, another author, has a professional affiliation with a company that produces products related to noise-induced hearing loss. This could compromise her ability to report objectively on this topic.
          • Thanos Tzounopoulos is an author on this article but also has financial ties with companies in the hearing loss industry. This could potentially influence his reporting on the topic.
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of noise-induced hearing loss as they mention Thanos Tzounopoulos and Amantha Thathiah who are affiliated with Science X. Additionally, Chris Cunningham is mentioned as having conducted research on molecular sponges for trapping excess zinc which could be related to tinnitus.
            • Amantha Thathiah
              • Thanos Tzounopoulos

              78%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Breakthrough in Battling Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

              Neuroscience News Neuroscience News Monday, 12 February 2024 22:50
              • Unique Points
                • Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism linked to cellular damage from excess zinc in the inner ear as a key factor in noise-induced hearing loss.
                • Treatment with a compound that traps excess zinc can prevent or reduce hearing loss in mice, suggesting a potential new therapy for humans.
                • The study shows that noise-induced hearing loss stems from cellular damage in the inner ear associated with the excess of free-floating zinc.
              • Accuracy
                • Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss that stems from cellular damage in the inner ear associated with an excess of free-floating zinc.
                • The highest concentration of free zinc in the body is in the cochlea, which converts vibrations into electrical signals that are then interpreted as sound.
              • Deception (80%)
                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article suggests that it will provide a breakthrough in battling noise-induced hearing loss when in fact it only provides information about a study that has identified excess zinc as a key factor in noise-induced hearing loss and shows how drugs acting as zinc sponges can prevent or reduce hearing loss. Secondly, the article states that researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss when in fact they only provide information about one possible mechanism. Thirdly, the article claims that this discovery opens doors for a possible solution but does not mention any other potential solutions or treatments for noise-induced hearing loss.
                • The article states that this discovery opens doors for a possible solution but does not mention any other potential solutions or treatments for noise-induced hearing loss.
                • The title of the article suggests a breakthrough in battling noise-induced hearing loss when it only provides information about one study and its findings.
                • The article claims that researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss but does not mention any other possible mechanisms.
              • Fallacies (75%)
                The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the study was published in a reputable journal without providing any evidence of its credibility or peer review process. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by suggesting that noise-induced hearing loss is either caused by acute traumatic injury or continuous exposure to loud noise, when there may be other factors at play. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that noise-induced hearing loss can be debilitating without providing any evidence of its severity or impact on a person's quality of life.
                • The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the study was published in a reputable journal without providing any evidence of its credibility or peer review process. For example, they state 'Tzounopoulos and his Pitt collaborators Amantha Thathiah, Ph.D., and Chris Cunningham, Ph.D., discovered a molecular mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss...', but do not provide any information about the journal or its peer review process.
                • The author makes a false dilemma by suggesting that noise-induced hearing loss is either caused by acute traumatic injury or continuous exposure to loud noise, when there may be other factors at play. For example, they state 'Others notice their hearing deteriorating after attending a loud music show.', but do not provide any evidence of the extent or severity of this type of hearing loss.
                • The article contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that noise-induced hearing loss can be debilitating without providing any evidence of its severity or impact on a person's quality of life. For example, they state 'Noise-induced hearing loss impairs millions of lives', but do not provide any statistics or data to support this claim.
              • Bias (80%)
                The article discusses a study that found excess zinc in the inner ear following loud noise exposure as a key factor in noise-induced hearing loss. The study also shows that treatment with a compound that traps excess zinc can prevent or reduce hearing loss in mice, suggesting a potential new therapy for humans. However, there is no mention of any political bias or religious bias present in the article.
                • The study identifies excess zinc in the inner ear following loud noise exposure as a key factor in noise-induced hearing loss.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. They have financial ties to a company that produces drugs acting as molecular sponges and may be hesitant to report on negative side effects of these drugs.

                  70%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Zinc provides new clue for why loud noise causes hearing loss

                  New Scientist Magazine Christa Lesté-Lasserre Tuesday, 13 February 2024 13:44
                  • Unique Points
                    • Loud noises may affect our hearing by disrupting levels of zinc in our inner ears
                    • Free-moving zinc plays an important role in the neurological communication of our senses
                    • The highest concentration of free zinc in the body is in the cochlea, which converts vibrations into electrical signals that are then interpreted as sound
                  • Accuracy
                    • Exposure to loud noises can worsen our hearing
                  • Deception (50%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that exposure to loud noises can worsen our hearing but does not provide any evidence or references to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that therapies that mitigate zinc levels could be used to treat inner ear damage from noise trauma without providing any scientific evidence or studies supporting this statement. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'worsen our hearing' and 'mitigate zinc levels', which is misleading and exaggerated.
                    • The article uses sensationalist language such as 'worsen our hearing' and 'mitigate zinc levels', which is misleading and exaggerated.
                    • The author claims that exposure to loud noises can worsen our hearing but does not provide any evidence or references to support this claim.
                  • Fallacies (85%)
                    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the study conducted by Thanos Tzounopoulos at the University of Pittsburgh. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing loud noises as 'worsening our hearing'. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of noise exposure causing damage and therapies that mitigate this damage being used to treat or prevent such harm.
                    • Thanos Tzounopoulos at the University of Pittsburgh
                    • Loud noises can cause cells in the inner ear to die.
                  • Bias (85%)
                    The author of the article is Christa Lesté-Lasserre and she has a history of bias. The site that published the article is New Scientist which also has a history of bias.
                    • [
                      • ]
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        Christa Lesté-Lasserre has a financial tie to the University of Pittsburgh as she is an associate professor at their School of Medicine. She also has a personal relationship with Thanos Tzounopoulos who was involved in the research and may have influenced her reporting.
                        • Christa Lesté-Lasserre mentions that the study was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is an associate professor.
                          • Thanos Tzounopoulos is credited as a coauthor on the paper and may have influenced Christa Lesté-Lasserre's reporting.
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of zinc and hearing loss as they are affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh which conducts research in this area.