Hearing supplements, which often contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts, are becoming increasingly popular as a natural way to promote ear health and perhaps prevent hearing loss.
Is There a Supplement to Help Hearing Loss?
The link between diet and hearing health is complicated. While no supplement will completely cure hearing loss, several vitamins and minerals have been demonstrated to promote ear health and perhaps reduce the consequences of hearing loss.
Research shows that dietary components can help sustain auditory function and support ear health. According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a healthy diet high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and minerals might help improve blood circulation and minimize the chance of hearing loss.
Best Supplements to Improve Hearing
Many of these hearing supplements are associated with a reduced risk of developing hearing loss, making them valuable additions to your diet to combat hearing loss and maintain good ear health.
Folate
Folate, a B vitamin required for DNA synthesis and cell division, has been linked to a decreased rate of hearing loss. Natural sources of folate include nuts, beans, and vegetables, whereas fortified bread and cereals include the synthetic version known as folic acid.
Folate also provides numerous health benefits, including supporting cardiovascular health and cognitive function, both crucial for the human body.
Another clinical research in the Netherlands found that folic acid supplementation reduced the aging-related decrease in normal hearing. This study highlights the potential for folate as an essential mineral in maintaining hearing health as people age.
Increasing folate intake through a healthier diet can also contribute to reduced risks of heart disease, as recent research shows a link between folate intake and cardiovascular health, which supports blood vessels that are vital for normal hearing.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, are antioxidants and provitamins that the body may convert into vitamin A. These chemicals, which may be found in fruits, cereals, and oils, have been linked to a decreased risk of hearing challenges and sudden hearing loss. Carotenoids are also known for their broader health benefits, including promoting eye health and reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases.
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that consuming more carotenoids and folate was associated with a lower risk of hearing loss, indicating their importance for good ear health and as part of a balanced diet.
Other B Vitamins
B vitamins, such as B12, B6, and B1, are essential vitamins for nerve function and may impact hearing health. These vitamin deficiencies have been related to a variety of hearing challenges.
A lack of vitamin B6 in newborns has been associated with acute hearing sensitivity. Inadequate vitamin B12 levels and low folate levels may be linked to age-related hearing impairment.
Although the precise period of taking supplements with vitamin B12 dosage necessary to help hearing is unknown, studies have demonstrated that it may improve hearing recovery in acute sensorineural hearing loss.
Vitamin D
New research reveals that vitamin D insufficiency may be linked to an increased risk of sudden hearing loss and other hearing challenges. Vitamin D receptors have been discovered in the inner ear, demonstrating its role in hearing function. Vitamin D is mostly derived from sunlight and fortified foods such as milk and cereal. Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels through a balanced diet and taking supplements may help prevent developing hearing loss over time.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inner Ear Health
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and flaxseeds, aid in general cardiovascular health, indirectly improving blood flow to the ears. A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Omega-3 fatty acids, which our bodies cannot make, are needed for many body activities, including immune system support and heart health.
Zinc
Zinc, a mineral required for immune system function, can help those with zinc deficiency-related tinnitus. Zinc is also known to help with recurring ear infections by supporting the immune system. Tinnitus symptoms might be reduced by taking zinc supplements if you have low zinc levels. However, it is crucial to remember that zinc supplementation may not be beneficial for those with normal zinc levels and may interact unfavorably with certain drugs.
Zinc is engaged in various enzymatic activities in the body and may help prevent age-related hearing loss.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral indicated for noise-induced hearing loss prevention. Evidence suggests that magnesium helps counteract hazardous free radicals, which are typically produced when people are exposed to loud noises.
Herbal and Other Supplements
Several herbal and other supplements are also offered to help with hearing health, however proof of their efficacy is frequently lacking. These are some examples:
Ginseng
Ginseng has been used for millennia in traditional Chinese medicine for various health advantages. Clinical research has found that it and other traditional Chinese medicine herbs can reduce tinnitus symptoms and enhance hearing threshold in people with sensorineural hearing loss.
Ginseng contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities that may benefit ear health in general.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that the body produces naturally. The body’s CoQ10 levels decline with age, potentially affecting general health.
Research suggests that CoQ10 supplementation may be effective in treating abrupt sensorineural hearing loss. However, more research is needed to fully understand the role of CoQ10 in hearing health.
Melatonin
Melatonin, a hormone that governs the sleep-wake cycle, has been shown to help people with tinnitus. A lack of sleep can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms, and melatonin supplementation might improve sleep quality and perhaps decrease tinnitus.
However, before beginning melatonin supplementation, it is critical to contact a healthcare expert.
Adding Supplements to Daily Routine
It is critical to check with your doctor before introducing any hearing supplement into your diet. They may analyze your specific nutrient intake needs, offer the right supplement dose, and verify that it does not conflict with any prescription medications you are taking.
Top Hearing Protection Tips
While vitamins can help, here are some more ways to safeguard your hearing:
- Reduce your exposure to loud noises, as they can cause hearing problems.
- When required, wear ear protection.
- Control your stress levels, as high blood pressure can negatively affect hearing.
- Visit your doctor regularly.
- Maintain a nutritious diet with foods rich in antioxidants to combat harmful free radicals that can damage hearing.
- Exercise regularly to promote oxygen-rich blood flow to the ears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reverse hearing loss naturally?
While it is difficult to restore hearing loss naturally, some lifestyle modifications and substances can help slow its progression. Maintaining a vitamin and mineral-rich diet, as well as regular exercise and avoiding loud noises, can help to improve hearing health.
What are the best vitamins for ear ringing?
Vitamin B12 and zinc are two of the greatest nutrients for treating tinnitus or ringing in the ears. These nutrients promote nerve function and can alleviate the intensity of tinnitus symptoms.
What vitamin do you lack for hearing loss?
A shortage in vitamin B12 or folate is frequently connected to hearing loss. Adequate consumption of these vitamins can aid to preserve auditory health.
How can I regain my hearing ability?
Regaining hearing capacity is difficult and frequently relies on the source of the loss. However, protecting your ears from future damage, eating a nutritious diet, and maybe employing hearing aids or cochlear implants can all assist improve hearing performance.
Conclusion
By addressing nutritional gaps and bolstering the body’s defenses against auditory damage, these supplements help maintain and improve hearing function. Always refer to your physician when discussing supplements and your overall health to ensure the best outcomes and tailor supplementation to your needs.
Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., received his medical doctorate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. During his medical school training, Dr. Hsu worked with various patients, including adult and pediatric patients with acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Hsu’s interests include neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and sleep medicine.
Before medical school, Dr. Hsu finished a master’s degree at Harvard University and wrote a thesis on neuroimaging in schizophrenia patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospital. Dr. Hsu was also a part of the 2008 NASA Phoenix Lander Mission team, which sent a robotic spacecraft to the North polar region of Mars. Dr. Hsu also had research experience on neuroimaging in neonates at Boston Children’s Hospital, another Harvard Medical School-affiliated Hospital.
Since graduating from medical school, Dr. Hsu has worked as a full-time medical writer and consultant. In addition, he has experience writing and ghostwriting books and articles for physicians and health technology start-up companies. Dr. Hsu believes good communication between healthcare providers and patients creates the best results.
Publications
-Peer Reviewed Journal Article:
Kounaves, S.P., Hecht, M.H., West, S.J., Morookian, J.-M., Young, S.M.M., Quinn, R., Grunthaner, P., Wen, X., Weilert, M., Cable, C.A., Fisher, A., Gospodinova, K., Kapit, J., Stroble, S., Hsu, P.-C., Clark, B.C., Ming, D.W. and Smith, P.H. The MECA wet chemistry laboratory on the 2007 phoenix mars scout Lander. Journal of Geophysical Research. 2009, Mar; 114(E3): 10.1029/2008je003084.
-Poster Presentation:
2011 Harvard Psychiatry Mysell Poster Session; Boston, MA
Hsu, P.C., Rathi, Y., Eckbo, R., Nestor, P., Niznikiewicz, M., Thompson, E., Kubicki, M., Shenton, M.E. (March, 2011). Two-Tensor Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Acoustic Radiations in Schizophrenia
