Vitamins are essential for ear health and in the prevention and treatment of impaired hearing conditions. Infections, injury and loud noises are common causes of hearing impairment. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen and cause permanent hearing loss. Consult your doctor about your diet and the association between vitamins and the ears.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin essential for development of DNA and red blood cells, and support of proper nerve function. Scientists at the University of Georgia in Athens report hearing loss is associated with poor vitamin B-12 status, according to research published in the "Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly" in 2006. The scientists found patients with hearing loss have higher blood levels of methylmalonic acid -- a substance that indicates the severity of vitamin B-12 deficiency -- than patients with normal hearing. However, they discovered that vitamin B-12 supplementation is not associated with improvements in hearing among patients deficient in vitamin B-12.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that stimulates the immune system, plays a vital role in synthesizing a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine and supports the production of collagen, an integral component of blood vessels, bones, tendons and ligaments. A deficiency in vitamin C increases the risk of hearing loss. Scientists at the University of Tokyo in Japan found vitamin C depletion accelerates age-related hearing loss, according to research published in "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications" in December 2009.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that protects cell membranes from harmful chemicals and slows the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. Vitamin E also plays an essential role in hearing. Scientists at Kouseiren Takaoka Hospital in Takaoka, Japan discovered that vitamin C and vitamin E improve hearing in patients with hearing loss following an ischemic stroke, according to research published in "Acta Otolaryngology" in February 2008. The results indicated the patients taking vitamin C and E experienced a gain in hearing of almost 30 dB, whereas the control group experienced a gain of 18.5 dB.
Antioxidants
Noise-induced hearing loss affects approximately 10 million Americans, including soldiers returning home from military action and teenagers listening to loud music on their headphones. Antioxidants, particularly vitamins A, C and E, are essential in protecting cells from damage by chemicals called free radicals, and preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Scientists at the Kresge Hearing Research Institute of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor discovered that vitamins A, C, and E act in synergy with magnesium to effectively prevent noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs, but that neither the vitamins nor magnesium were as effective when used alone, according to research published in "Free Radical Biology and Medicine" in May 2007. The scientists concluded the results are compelling enough to warrant further testing in humans.
References
- Lumenis; Ear Health; 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute Oregon State University; Vitamin B12; Victoria Drake; August 2007
- "Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly"; Age-Related Hearing Loss, Methylmalonic Acid, and Vitamin B12 Status in Older Adults; Sohyun Park, et al.; 2006
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Vitamin C; Balz Frei; November 2009
- "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications"; Effect of Vitamin C Depletion on Age-Related Hearing Loss in SMP30/GNL Knockout Mice; Akinori Kashio, et al.; December 18 2009
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Vitamin E; 2010
