Magnesium doesn't promise to fully reverse established hearing loss but shows significant potential in preventing noise-induced damage and improving outcomes in sudden sensorineural hearing loss, especially alongside steroids, by protecting inner ear cells and improving blood flow. Research, particularly in animal models and some human trials, suggests magnesium offers neuroprotective effects against free radical damage from loud noises and may enhance low-tone hearing recovery, acting synergistically with antioxidants like vitamins C & E.
What natural treatments are available?
The majority of studies have shown that magnesium is partly effective. Using magnesium in combination with other agents could improve recovery after hearing loss.
The auditory nerve has very limited regenerative capacity. Once it is damaged, the auditory nerve cannot regenerate effectively on its own.
Most doctors agree that treatments are most effective when started as early as possible after the onset of the loss. Although not all patients regain hearing, options exist even for patients left with permanent hearing loss.
People become deafened primarily because the sensory hair cells in their inner ears die. As in most of the mammalian nervous system, regeneration does not occur, and so the loss of hearing due to sensory hair cell death is permanent.
While age-related hearing loss cannot be “reversed”, hearing aids can be used to improve your overall hearing. Other possible causes of hearing loss include hearing loss caused by diseases, exposure to loud noises, injury, and ototoxic medications.
Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E halt excessive production of these free radicals, which can damage the delicate cells in our ears. Studies have also shown that supplementing with vitamins A, C and E (plus magnesium) before exposure to loud noise can actually help prevent noise-induced hearing damage.
Symptoms may include:
A new drug, the FX 322, is said to reverse hearing loss
Research is currently being undertaken by Frequency Therapeutics*, a new gel-based drug that is injected into your ear and designed to promote stem cell growth. This will regenerate and develop hair-like stereocilia cells, which are said to reverse hearing loss.
Taking magnesium prior to noise exposure will help preserve your hearing over me but will not take the place of ear plugs or muffs which are always recommended for individuals who use loud machinery or guns. 200-400 mg This is a very general number. If you are taking it daily I recommend 200mg.
Magnesium ranks among the most versatile supplements for hearing health. This mineral performs multiple protective functions for your auditory system. A 2004 clinical trial suggested magnesium may improve low-tone hearing when combined with steroid treatment in sudden hearing loss cases.
Your body needs magnesium to function normally. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include low appetite, nausea or vomiting, muscle spasms or tremors and abnormal heart rhythms. A blood test or urine test can be used to diagnose magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency is usually treated with supplements.
Ginkgo Biloba– A popular herb in Chinese medicine has been grown for thousands of years and has a variety of uses. In certain countries, this herb is used to treat inner ear disorders and is thought to increase blood circulation, which may help stabilize hearing loss.
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. Many people don't know that one of the benefits is it can improve your hearing(goes to new website)(opens in a new tab)! According to hearing health experts, exercising helps increase blood flow to the ears.
Cardiovascular Exercises
These activities get your heart pumping and increase blood flow throughout your body, including to the inner ear. Aim for at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise most days of the week to reap the maximum benefits for your hearing health.
While sensorineural hearing loss is typically irreversible, some forms can be reversible, such as those caused by certain medications. Sudden hearing loss can be reversible if treatment is sought shortly after the loss occurs.
It depends on your unique situation. Recovery times vary greatly depending on the severity of your condition and where on your vestibular nerve the damage occurred. Some people may recover in just one week. Others may have lingering symptoms that last weeks, months or even years.
Exercise increases blood flow to the ears, which helps the tiny hair cells in the inner ear stay healthy. Simple exercises like walking, gardening or housework can improve your hearing health. Meditate. Meditation is a great way to lower stress and improve hearing.
Higher intakes of vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12 and folate have been proposed to reduce the risk of hearing loss.
While Staffa's research focused on hearing loss, our study specifically investigated CoQ10's impact on chronic tinnitus and found that, in addition to improving hearing loss, CoQ10 also reduced tinnitus symptoms (25).
Zinc oral supplementation elevated serum zinc levels, especially in younger patients. THI scores improved significantly following zinc treatment in patients with NIHL associated tinnitus. However, no improvements in objective hearing parameters were observed.
Some forms of hearing loss can be treated with a hearing aid. If your hearing falls into the 26-70 dB range (mild to moderate), a hearing aid can be very effective in restoring sounds for your daily life.
These hair cells can be damaged by exposure to loud noise, certain medications or infections, and aging. In humans, once these hair cells die, they do not regenerate, meaning hearing loss is often irreversible.
Zinc, found in protein-rich foods like oysters, grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, tahini (ground sesame seeds), cashews, almonds, spinach, and dark chocolate. Zinc has shown to improve sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) — a sudden, unexplained loss of hearing.