Hearing loss can occur naturally with age. However, various supplements on the market may help to prevent it. Supplements are easy to take and are tolerated well by most people. They are also convenient – far easier than changing your entire lifestyle. While multivitamins and minerals can help maintain general health, there are specific ear health supplements with unique mechanisms of action.
Lipoic Acid
Lipoic acid, also called alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), is a popular health supplement. The compound acts on numerous tissues in the body, including the liver and supporting good health. However, it may also protect the ears.
Lipoic acid increases glutathione production, one of the body’s primary antioxidants. Less oxidation may significantly reduce damage to sensitive structures in the ear, such as the cochlea. Over time, this may help patients preserve their hearing. Oxygen reacts with the antioxidants rather than the tissue in the ear.
Zinc
Zinc is another powerful antioxidant that some people lack. Research shows it may reduce tinnitus in the ears and combat various forms of hearing loss. Patients who can’t hear as well should get their zinc levels tested. It is hard to get the recommended daily intake from diet alone.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 research suggests that it may improve symptoms of hearing loss in people who take more than 160 milligrams daily. The compound addresses some of the causes of sensorineural hearing loss, supporting the health of the hair-like cells in the cochlea. It also improves mitochondrial function, enabling all ear cells to function better.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine used in various potions and poultices for thousands of years. Today, the remedy is on its way back because of the therapeutic compounds it contains. Ginseng offers multiple benefits, including improving heart health and reducing stress.
Research from 2019 suggests that patients who take ginseng regularly may be able to improve tinnitus symptoms and improve their hearing thresholds. Ginseng may restore sensitive parts of the ear, improving hearing over time for those with sensorineural hearing loss.
Unfortunately, because ginseng is a natural product, research on its health benefits and side effects is limited. Therefore, always work with your doctor.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is the spice that comes from the tree of the same name. It’s currently the most-studied tinnitus dietary supplement out there. Some ginkgo biloba studies show that the spice reduces tinnitus symptoms, while others don’t. The scientific community is still awaiting definitive answers regarding its efficacy.
Melatonin
Melatonin is the body’s sleep hormone. In the morning, it is low but rises significantly in the evening, getting you ready for bed. Many people with tinnitus find it hard to sleep. Constant buzzing in their ears is distracting.
Therefore, melatonin may be a good supplement for sleep-deprived hearing loss patients. Taking a small amount can regularize your circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep at night and get up in the morning.
Folate
You can find folate in most fruits and vegetables. It is a compound that plants use to protect themselves against environmental challenges.
Supplemental folate comes in the form of folic acid. This substance may protect hearing, particularly in older people. Observational studies find that those who consume more folate reduce their risk of hearing loss. Clinical trials that added folic acid supplements to the diet came to the same conclusion.
Magnesium
Most people get sufficient folate in their diets to avoid deficiencies. However, the situation regarding magnesium is different. Most individuals on standard western diets don’t get enough of this mineral.
Magnesium is critical because it may prevent inner ear damage and further hearing loss. It helps to reduce the oxidative stress that loud sounds cause to the cochlear and other issues. People who take magnesium before noise exposure are less likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss. You can find magnesium in most fruits and vegetables, including almonds, tofu and quinoa.
Potassium
Lastly, most westerners get too much sodium relative to potassium, two electrolytes in the body. The body uses potassium in many processes, but it is essential for the fluid in the inner ear when converting sounds into nerve signals to send to the brain. Therefore, a lack of this mineral in your diet might increase the risk of hearing loss.
To get more potassium into your body, you can try eating spinach, bananas and avocados. Supplementing with potassium is rare. Do you believe you might have hearing loss? If so, contact Two Rivers Hearing today by calling us at (321) 499-2488 to schedule an appointment.
This article is for informational purposes only. Refer to your physician when discussing supplements and your overall health.
