The Role of Nutrition in Healthy Hearing
Hearing loss is a common disorder that has multifactorial origin, including both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors include mutations in genes involved in the structure or function of the cochlea. Likewise environmental factors such as exposure to noise, ototoxic drugs and even nutritional deficiencies can contribute to the hearing loss. Therefore, nutritional intervention studies may have a greater preventive potential for hearing loss. A range of epidemiological studies worldwide have demonstrated the association between hearing loss and deficiency of essential nutrient. Other studies have provided evidence for preventing hearing loss by means of dietary supplementation. Moreover, dietary exposure to potential ototoxic heavy metals such as cadmium and lead obesity and reduced physical activity also account for hearing loss confirming the negative consequences of an unhealthy diet and lifestyle on the auditory function1.
Among macronutrients, there has been limited research to understand the impact of carbohydrates and proteins on auditory function and the prevention of hearing loss. That said, diets which are rich in carbohydrates, especially sugars and sweets that are highly concentrated in fructose, result in high triglyceride serum levels which impacts hearing. It has been reported in a research conducted by Gopinath et al. that humans with high glycemic index and higher total carbohydrate levels showed an increased risk of hearing loss.
Other studies have reported the correlation between reduced levels of protein in diet and increased vulnerability to noise-induced hearing loss and ototoxicity, in guinea pigs2. Additionally, a number of specific nutrients, such as vitamin A, B, C, and magnesium have been demonstrated to provide protective effects when individually supplemented. Treatment with the combination of antioxidants β-carotene vitamin C, and vitamin E, as well as magnesium, reduced Noise Induced Hearing Loss and hair cell death in guinea pigs exposed to loud noise There are also benefits with combined dietary nutrient supplements. That said, nutritional deficiencies can exacerbate the risk for hearing loss. In a study by Kashio et al, Vitamin C depletion has been reported to accelerate age-related hearing loss3. In fact, in another study by Prell et al. , it has been reported that an antioxidant supplemented diet may support functional and morphological preservation of cells in the inner ear. Hence, hearing loss may be effectively reduced by minimizing noise-induced oxidative stress in the inner ear using diet-based antioxidant therapies4. Given the impact of diet on hearing, it becomes important that one is careful with their dietary choices to support healthy hearing for long term.
In summary, successful hearing with age does not start with the ear but instead starts with health choices that influence our ability to successfully age. Hearing loss and other sensory functions can greatly influence aging and are, in turn, greatly influenced by our lifestyle and general health. As audiologists, we must consider our patients’ entire health and look at factors beyond the usual suspects (noise, age, drugs) to manage and prevent hearing loss today and in the future5.
References
- Puga AM, Pajares MA, Varela-Moreiras G, Partearroyo T. Interplay between Nutrition and Hearing Loss: State of Art. Nutrients. 2018;11(1):35. Published 2018 Dec 24. doi:10.3390/nu11010035
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Audiology Online: 20Q: Healthy Eating Makes for Healthy Hearing - The Recipe
by Christopher Spankovich, AuD, PhD, MPH, October 8, 2012 - Kashio A, Amano A, Kondo Y, Sakamoto T, Iwamura H, Suzuki M, Ishigami A, Yamasoba T. Effect of vitamin C depletion on age-related hearing loss in SMP30/GNL knockout mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Dec 18;390(3):394-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.09.003. Epub 2009 Sep 4. PMID: 19733551.
- Le Prell CG, Gagnon PM, Bennett DC, Ohlemiller KK. Nutrient-enhanced diet reduces noise-induced damage to the inner ear and hearing loss. Transl Res. 2011;158(1):38-53. doi:10.1016/j.trsl.2011.02.006
- Christopher Spankovich, AuD, PhD, MPH, "The Role of Nutrition in Healthy Hearing." ASHA
