Ringing ears, otherwise known as tinnitus, is a chronic buzzing or hissing in the cochlea, or inner ear. Latin for "tinkling like a bell," tinnitus can reach noise levels as high as 70 decibels, the equivalent of having a vacuum cleaner motor roaring in your head. The condition occurs when nerve cells in the inner ear are damaged. According to the American Tinnitus Association, factors leading to ringing ears include aging, medications, exposure to loud music or environmental noise, stress, depression, earwax blockage and head and neck trauma. Although no known cure exists, vitamins may offer tinnitus relief. Check with your medical provider, however, before self-diagnosing your condition.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can increase blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can cause damage to the nervous system leading to memory loss, impaired reflexes, noise-induced hearing impairment and tinnitus. According to research conducted by Tel Aviv University and published in the book, "Healing With Vitamins," 54 percent of subjects suffering from chronic tinnitus reported an improvement after receiving vitamin B-12 therapy. Researchers also found that consistent exposure to noise may deplete the body of vitamin B-12, thus raising the risk of tinnitus. Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include ham, king crab, clams, herring and tuna.
Vitamin A
Dr. George E. Shambaugh Jr. of Northwestern University Medical School in Illinois states in "Healing With Vitamins" that the cochlea not only contains high concentrations of vitamin A, but it also depends upon the vitamin to function properly. Shambaugh cites several studies in which 24 to 74 percent of subjects with tinnitus experienced partial relief with vitamin A therapy. Furthermore, although supporting evidence remains weak, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center adds that in combination with vitamins B-12 and E, along with other herbs and chemicals, vitamin A has received notice as a treatment for tinnitus. Food sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, carrot juice, cantaloupe, mangoes, pumpkin and spinach.
Zinc
Like vitamin A, high concentrations of zinc are found in the cochlea, as noted by the website LifeExtension.org. Zinc regulates healthy cell membranes and aids the protection of cells from oxygen-related damage. While not much is known concerning how zinc works in the cochlea, according to a 2007 University of Iowa abstract published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Four among five small studies indicate that administration of zinc has a beneficial effect on tinnitus." While more clinical trials are needed, the University of Michigan Health System cites a 1985 study that showed that 25 percent of zinc-deficient tinnitus sufferers experienced a tinnitus improvement when treated with high doses of zinc. Large quantities of zinc supplements should only be administered under a doctors care, however. Food sources include lamb, beef, eggs, nuts, yogurt and whole grains.
References
- "Healing with Vitamins"; Rodale, pub.; 2009
- Life Extension: Tinnitus
- American Tinnitus Association: About Tinnitus
- University of Michigan Health System: Tinnitus
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Tinnitus Aurium
