Image: Adobe Stock
Hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide, from undiagnosed children struggling to keep up at school to the elderly finding it difficult to follow conversations. But could a simple vitamin help safeguard our auditory health? A new systematic literature review reveals a fascinating link between vitamin B12 deficiency and hearing loss, finding that maintaining optimum levels of this important micronutrient may play a key role in preventing the problem.
An essential dietary ingredient in the maintenance of health, vitamin B12 is involved in various aspects of protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. It is also required for DNA synthesis and the production of red blood cells. A severe deficiency can result in a disease known as pernicious anemia, which is characterized by an insufficient production of red blood cells.
Found mainly in animal-based food products, very few plant-based foods contain vitamin B12. The few exceptions, cited in the new systematic literature review, include shiitake mushrooms, dried purple laver (nori), and tempeh. This means that vegetarians and vegans are at particular risk of deficiency. The elderly also often lack this micronutrient, as the body’s ability to absorb B12 tends to reduce with age. Lifestyle factors known to lower levels of this vitamin include use of alcohol, smoking, and certain pharmaceutical drugs.
Published in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal by researchers from India, the review initially examined a total of 612 studies. These were eventually narrowed down to 9 high quality papers. Careful analysis revealed that people with lower levels of vitamin B12 tend to have a higher prevalence of hearing impairment than those with normal or elevated levels. The researchers found that lower serum levels are associated with slight to mild hearing loss and that cochlear dysfunction and poorer hearing thresholds are linked to deficiency. These findings, the review concludes, highlight the importance of maintaining optimal levels of B12 for preserving hearing health.
Interestingly, two of the 9 high quality papers examined found a link between vitamin deficiency and noise exposure. In one of them, researchers examined levels of B12 and folic acid in patients with noise induced hearing loss. They found that individuals with hearing loss induced by noise exposure have significantly reduced average levels of these micronutrients. Another study investigated the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic tinnitus, a problem often associated with hearing loss. Symptoms of tinnitus include ringing, whooshing, humming, or buzzing sounds in one or both ears. The findings showed that B12 deficiency is common in patients with tinnitus and noise induced hearing loss. Notably, therefore, supplementation led to an improvement in tinnitus symptoms for some of these patients, thus suggesting a therapeutic role for the micronutrient in managing the condition.
As you might expect, vitamin B12 is not the only micronutrient involved in protecting hearing. Previously published research has found that other dietary ingredients, including iron, folic acid, vitamin D, and vitamins C and E, are also important. For the optimum prevention and control of hearing problems, the best results are therefore obtained via the use of carefully chosen micronutrient combinations.
Research conducted by scientists at the Dr. Rath Research Institute has shown that symptoms of tinnitus can be dramatically improved through use of the correct micronutrients. In a pilot clinical trial published in 2001, a specific combination of micronutrients was given to a group of patients suffering from tinnitus. Aged between 44 and 85 years old, the participants had all had the condition for more than three consecutive months.
After just four months on the micronutrient supplement program 30 percent of the patients reported a slight improvement in their hearing, while 45 percent reported a clear improvement of between 10 and 20 decibels. Even more remarkably, 25 percent of the patients indicated a strong hearing improvement of between 25 and 50 decibels and a return of their normal hearing ability. In all, more than 75 percent of the patients experienced some reduction in their symptoms of tinnitus. For half of the patients, the ringing and other noises in their ears almost completely disappeared.
In the United States, the statistics regarding hearing loss are sobering. Approximately 15 percent of American adults report some trouble hearing, with 1 in 8 Americans aged 12 or older having hearing loss in both ears. Worldwide, around 14.4 percent of adults have experienced tinnitus. Many people with moderate or worse hearing loss suffer from depression.
With a growing body of scientific evidence pointing to micronutrients playing important roles in the prevention and treatment of hearing problems, it is time for this knowledge to be taken advantage of. Micronutrient-based health solutions are science-based, effective, and safe. Patients everywhere deserve to know the facts.