Natural Remedies to Preserve and Improve Hearing

Nearly 30 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss likely caused by exposure to loud noises at work, at home or during recreation, states the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Noise-induced hearing loss from operating machinery and shop tools, snowmobiles, leaf blowers as well as target shooting, hunting and attending loud concerts, over time, takes a toll on hearing. An aging population and the popularity of personal listening devices, such as MP3 players, are also contributing to increased hearing loss regardless of your age.

Current studies are working in earnest on preventative and curative solutions to hearing loss using none other than common vitamins and minerals. How can common nutritional supplements protect our hearing? Research is indicating antioxidant vitamins A, C and E prevent hearing damage by mopping up free radicals that damage healthy cells in the ear. Combined with the mineral magnesium, which helps preserve blood flow to the inner ear, the supplements may prevent hearing loss due to noise exposure as well as aging.

Prevention and reversal of hearing loss

Encouraging results are being reported in two studies focusing on a natural remedy to help reduce hearing loss. Scientists at University of Florida (UF), the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Institute and OtoMedicine, a U of M startup company, is conducting research on how the right blend of vitamins A, C and E and magnesium can help reduce hearing loss due to loud noise exposure. The blend was given to animals prior to introducing the noise equivalent of a rock concert and was continued for five days after the noise exposure.

The findings suggest pre-treatment may reduce both constriction of blood flow to the inner ear and free radicals that form during noise exposure. The post-noise doses may actually scavenge free radicals produced long-after after noise exposure ends.

The vitamin/mineral blend being tested is an important finding because repeated temporary hearing loss can eventually lead to lasting hearing loss. The scientists speculate pre-emptive measures could prevent permanent changes.

A second study conducted by UF, Washington University in St. Louis and OtoMedicine found the same supplements prevented cell loss in an inner ear structure linked to age-related hearing loss and surmised the micronutrients may protect against the changes we assume are part of the natural aging process.

Since vitamins and mineral being tested are widely used dietary supplements, the researchers will not have to conduct extensive safety tests like those for new drugs. The proposed human trials will use doses considered within safe ranges according to the Institute of Medicine and federal nutrition guidelines.

In January 2009, researchers at the Hiroshima University of Medicine in Japan reported the results of a study on radical scavengers specifically related to age-related hearing loss. A combination of Rebamipide, which is an ulcer drug, along with alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C given orally for eight weeks to elderly patients with age-related hearing loss significantly improved their hearing at all frequencies. The results suggest treatment with radical scavengers can potentially become an effective new therapy for hearing loss due to aging.

Nutrients for long-term hearing health

Interestingly, hearing loss assumed to be part of our natural aging process actually may be related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Correlations have been found between deficient levels of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E, and the minerals magnesium, copper and zinc and hearing loss in the elderly.

Each recommended supplement adds a different aspect to preserve your hearing as you age. Vitamin A increases your susceptibility to noise and sensory function. The most effective form of vitamin A is beta-carotene. Vitamin B complex, which includes folacin (folate and folic acid), has been found to help prevent hearing loss, particularly for the elderly and vitamin C helps protect or lower the damage caused by noise exposure. A deficient level of vitamin D can have serious consequences associated with ear and hearing health. Vitamin E aids with fat absorption disorders; fat is essential for auditory brainstem responses.

As for minerals, magnesium helps support healthy nerve function in the auditory system, prevents inner ear damage, and provides protective benefits against noise-induced hearing loss. Copper and zinc deficiencies can have detrimental effects on auditory structures, could increase your vulnerability for hearing loss in the inner ear and may heighten age-related hearing loss. In addition, the seven amino acids play a protective role in hearing preservation, particularly during the aging process.

Until an optimal blend of antioxidant vitamins and minerals reaches the market, you can protect, improve and preserve your hearing and overall ear health with a quality multi-vitamin containing recommended daily dosages of the vitamins and minerals addressed here. Of course, minimizing exposure to loud noise and personal listening devices is also recommended as a first line of defense against gradual hearing loss.