Introduction
There are many possible causes of hearing loss, ranging from wax in the
ear canal to problems with the nerves that receive sound and transmit it to the
brain. Two of the most common causes are age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
and noise-induced hearing loss. The treatment for hearing loss depends on its
cause, and for this reason, one should consult a doctor. This article discusses a
few herbs and supplements that have shown promise for various forms of hearing
loss.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Two natural treatments have been evaluated in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials for the prevention or treatment of hearing loss: magnesium and Ginkgo biloba.
Magnesium for preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Long-term
exposure to loud sounds, such as gunfire or rock music, can cause permanent
hearing loss. A two-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of three hundred
military recruits found daily supplementation with magnesium
helped protect the ear from noise-induced damage. The dosage used in this study
was quite small–only 167 milligrams (mg) of magnesium daily–but tests showed that
even this amount was sufficient to raise magnesium levels inside cells and
apparently protect the ear from damage. Soldiers who received the magnesium were
less likely to experience permanent hearing damage than those in the placebo
group, and when they did experience hearing damage, it was less severe.
It is not clear how magnesium might protect hearing. Studies in animals suggest that magnesium deficiency can increase the stress on cells involved with hearing and thereby make them more susceptible to damage caused by intense noise. However, human magnesium deficiency is believed to be rare, so it is possible that supplemental magnesium acts in some entirely different way.
Only the use of noise-reduction devices (such as headsets that block sound) has been proven effective for preventing noise-induced hearing loss, and the forgoing study does not indicate that magnesium supplements can replace this effective approach. However, the study suggests that a safe, low dose of magnesium may add an additional level of protection.
Ginkgo for treating sudden hearing loss. Some people develop hearing loss suddenly, usually in one ear. This condition is called unilateral idiopathic sudden hearing loss. Its cause is unknown, but problems with circulation may play a role in some cases. The herb Ginkgo biloba is thought to increase circulation, and for this reason it has been tried as a treatment for this condition.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 106 participants with a carefully
defined form of sudden hearing loss were given either a full dose of
ginkgo extract (120 milligrams [mg] twice daily) or a low
dose of the herb (12 mg twice daily). The lower dose was chosen in the belief that
it could not possibly offer any benefit and would therefore serve as placebo.
However, researchers were surprised to find that most participants in each group
recovered by the end of the eight-week trial. There are two possibilities to
explain this: low-dose ginkgo is effective, or many people with sudden hearing
loss recover on their own anyway.
Because both groups improved to such a great extent, the overall results of the trial did not prove ginkgo effective. An exploratory look at the data provided some hints that high-dose ginkgo may have helped ensure full recovery, but for statistical reasons these hints cannot be taken as proof.
Another double-blind study compared ginkgo to pentoxifylline, a circulation-enhancing drug used in Germany
for the treatment of sudden hearing loss. The results indicate that ginkgo was at
least as effective as the medication. However, because pentoxifylline itself is
not a proven treatment for this condition, the results prove little. Additional
research will be necessary to discover whether ginkgo is actually effective for
sudden hearing loss
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
A study in animals suggests that the supplement lipoic acid
might help prevent age-related hearing loss. Another animal study suggests that
melatonin may help prevent hearing loss induced by noise.
Free
radicals are naturally occurring substances that cause damage
to many parts of the body, including the ear. Antioxidants
are substances that fight free radicals. Antioxidant supplements have shown
promise for preventing various forms of hearing loss, including age-related
hearing loss and hearing damage caused by medications. Commonly used antioxidants
include citrus bioflavonoids, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, lutein,
lycopene, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Other natural treatments sometimes used for various forms of hearing loss, but which lack meaningful scientific support, include folate, manganese, myrrh, potassium, zinc, and vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12.
Bibliography
Blakley, B. W., et al. “Strategies for Prevention of Toxicity Caused by Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.” Laryngoscope 112 (2002): 1997-2001.
Burschka, M. A., et al. “Effect of Treatment with Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 (Oral) on Unilateral Idiopathic Sudden Hearing Loss in a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study of 106 Outpatients.” European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 258 (2001): 213-219.
Henderson, D., et al. “The Role of Antioxidants in Protection from Impulse Noise.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 884 (November 28, 1999): 368-380.
Karlidag, T., et al. “The Role of Free Oxygen Radicals in Noise Induced Hearing Loss: Effects of Melatonin and Methylprednisolone.” Auris Nasus Larynx 29 (2002): 147-152.
Reisser, C. H., and H. Weidauer. “Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761W or Pentoxifylline for the Treatment of Sudden Deafness.” Acta Otolaryngologica 121 (2001): 579-584.
Seidman, M. D. “Effects of Dietary Restriction and Antioxidants on Presbyacusis.” Laryngoscope 110 (2000): 727-738.
_______, et al. “Biologic Activity of Mitochondrial Metabolites on Aging and Age-Related Hearing Loss.” American Journal of Otolaryngology 21 (2000): 161-167.
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