Protecting your hearing and lifelong ear health is vitally important, yet many people don’t actively think about how to protect the health of their ears. Supplementing your body with the right nutrients can support your body in various ways, but did you know that certain supplements are thought to improve the health of your hearing? A variety of scientific studies have suggested that certain vitamins and supplements are beneficial to the health of our ears. From potassium to zinc, these are some of the best supplements and vitamins for ear health.
1. Potassium
Potassium is crucial for converting sound into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. The fluid in our inner ear, which is a central component of the process, needs potassium to work properly. The levels of potassium drop as we age, which has been linked to hearing loss. Supplementing your diet with potassium-rich foods may help in preventing age-related hearing loss.
2. Magnesium
Magnesium has been linked to combating tinnitus and hearing loss. In fact, after exposure to high noise levels, the levels of magnesium in inner ear fluid drop significantly. As magnesium protects the nerves in the inner ear, it plays an essential role in hearing health, especially if your hearing loss is attributed to noise exposure.
3. Vitamin A, C, and E
Studies have shown that maintaining healthy levels of Vitamin A, C and E alongside magnesium are associated with lower risks of hearing loss, as they help protect against inner ear cell damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants in these vitamins prevent damage to health cells, making all three of these essential vitamins for ear health. Vitamin C also bolsters the immune system, which can reduce the risk of pesky ear infections.
4. Folate/Folic Acid
Folic Acid and folate—the natural source of vitamin B-9—is essential to the function of inner-ear health, and has been proven to slow the decline of age-related hearing. It also helps fight off free radicals to keep them from reducing blood flow to the inner ear and damaging our ear’s sensory cells. Research has shown that individuals with low levels of folic acid are more likely to lose their hearing faster than those with higher levels, making folate an important vitamin for ear health.
5. Zinc
Commonly deficient in the diet, zinc is thought to be one of the most important mineral supplements. It’s known to support the immune system, meaning it can help your body fight off ear infections and is even used to combat tinnitus and sudden hearing loss in individuals with normal hearing. Impaired hearing has also been linked to low levels of zinc, as a person’s inner ear normally contains the most amount of zinc in their body. Zinc supports ear health by increasing your inner ear’s resistance to age-related hearing loss, which makes maintaining a zinc-rich diet essential.
6. Vitamin B-12
One of the most important vitamins for ear health is vitamin B-12. A B-12 deficiency has been linked on many occasions to tinnitus—increasing your intake of the vitamin can relieve its symptoms. B-12 is essential to create myelin, the protective cover that surrounds the nerves. If you’re lacking in B-12, the communication between your nerves can deteriorate and lead to tinnitus. As the human body does not produce B-12 naturally, it’s important to eat foods that are rich in the vitamin, such as eggs, fish, and poultry.
7. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 is another great supplement that supports healthy ear function. It is thought to be effective in slowing the development of age-related hearing loss, as it strengthens the blood vessels in our ear’s sensory system and helps maintain blood flow to the ears. Scientists also believe these fatty acids help to protect cell life by slowing down cell aging, and in turn, positively affecting ear health and hearing. While omega 3 is found in a variety of foods, you can also maintain healthy levels through over-the-counter supplements.
While none of the vitamins and supplements will eliminate or reverse any immediate concerns, they all play a crucial part in protecting your hearing and health. Adding foods rich in these vitamins and minerals and supplementing your diet with vitamins for ear health can be a positive and proactive move for your future health. Here’s a list of what vitamins you should take on a daily basis should you be looking for further guidance.
To learn more about how to protect your ear health, explore our hearing library. For more information on Lexie and how we can help your hearing loss, visit our website or contact us today.
FAQs
Magnesium reduces noise-induced hearing loss
Loud noise impairs the blood flow to the cochlea. Magnesium improves blood flow to the cochlea by expanding the blood vessels and improving circulation.
What is the best vitamin to take for hearing loss? ›
Supplements that Combat Hearing Loss
- Coenzyme Q10. ...
- Magnesium. ...
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. ...
- Folic Acid. ...
- Potassium. ...
- Garlic. ...
- Vitamin C. ...
- Resveratrol. This is an antioxidant found in a variety of foods including the skin of grapes, which has been shown to prevent blood clots.
Magnesium reduces noise-induced hearing loss
Loud noise impairs the blood flow to the cochlea. Magnesium improves blood flow to the cochlea by expanding the blood vessels and improving circulation.
What vitamin deficiency causes hearing problems? ›
Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with bilateral hearing impairment and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in older adults.
Which vitamin for ear health? ›
For the middle ear's bone health, vitamin D plays a pivotal role. Lacking vitamin D can cause hearing problems in the elderly, often due to decreased metabolism and reduced physical strength. Ear doctors frequently suggest vitamin D supplements for both seniors and children experiencing transient hearing loss.
What is one nutrient that can fix tinnitus? ›
Foods High in B Vitamins. Some evidence suggests that vitamin B supplements may help reduce the severity of tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing or other noises in the ears.
Can magnesium reverse hearing loss? ›
Can Magnesium Aid in Hearing Loss Recovery? Magnesium therapy has been demonstrated in several studies to be effective in either preventing or treating hearing damage, particularly noise-induced hearing loss, but also in improving hearing loss associated with drug ototoxicity and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
How to reverse hearing loss naturally? ›
Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Astragalus propinquus showed particular promise to improve hearing in patients with sensorineural hearing loss and to reduce symptoms of tinnitus. A year-long study found that 10 mg of Vinpocetine (VPC) three times a day might improve acquired sensorineural hearing loss.
What heals hearing? ›
Once damaged, your auditory nerve and cilia cannot be repaired. But, depending on the severity of the damage, sensorineural hearing loss has been successfully treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
What vitamin helps tinnitus go away? ›
Research studies have shown that people with tinnitus experienced improvement in symptoms after undergoing vitamin B12 supplemental therapy. Vitamin B12 can be found in foods such as meat, fish and dairy products; it can also be produced in a Lab. It is often taken in combination with other B vitamins.
Vitamin D is fat-soluble while B12 is water-soluble; it doesn't matter if you take them at the same time or not. Vitamin D helps with calcium and magnesium absorption, while vitamin B12 supports nerve cells and red blood cell formation.
How much B12 should I take to stop tinnitus? ›
Research has shown that most tinnitus sufferers are deficient in vitamin B12. This nutrient can be found in dairy products, meat, and eggs, but it makes more sense to choose a supplement of 1,000mcg strength and take two daily for an accurate therapeutic dose.
Can vitamin B12 help hearing loss? ›
Low levels of vitamin B12 damage the nerves in the cochlea, a fluid-filled structure in the ear that is vital for hearing. Deficient vitamin B12 levels may also lead to damage in the tiny blood vessels in the ear. Both factors could contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
What vitamin restores hearing? ›
Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E halt excessive production of these free radicals, which can damage the delicate cells in our ears. Studies have also shown that supplementing with vitamins A, C and E (plus magnesium) before exposure to loud noise can actually help prevent noise-induced hearing damage.
Which oil is good for hearing loss? ›
Cajeput oil, geranium oil, lavender oil and tea tree oil can help sensorineural hearing loss. Helichrysum oil helps both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Can zinc help hearing loss? ›
Experiments in mice showed drugs that sponge up excess zinc can help restore lost hearing or, if administered before an expected loud sound exposure, can protect from hearing loss.
Can B12 improve hearing? ›
Low levels of vitamin B12 damage the nerves in the cochlea, a fluid-filled structure in the ear that is vital for hearing. Deficient vitamin B12 levels may also lead to damage in the tiny blood vessels in the ear. Both factors could contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
Can anything improve hearing loss? ›
Some types of hearing loss can be treated with surgery. For repeated infections that cause fluid in the ear, a care provider might put in small tubes that help ears drain. Hearing aids. If hearing loss is from damage to the inner ear, a hearing aid can be helpful.
How much CoQ10 should I take for hearing loss? ›
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 research suggests that it may improve symptoms of hearing loss in people who take more than 160 milligrams daily.
