[23] Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause the demyelination of neurons in the cochlear nerve, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus.
Mg deficiency has resulted in increased susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, ototoxicity, and hyperexcitability of the auditory system.
One study that focused on vitamin B12 deficiency in tinnitus patients showed that supplementation of vitamin B12 actually reversed the tinnitus symptoms. Another recent study showed significant tinnitus improvement after vitamin B12 injections were given in those who had tinnitus and were vitamin B12 deficient.
Pilot Study Results
The patients in Group A with a B12 deficiency showed improvement in their tinnitus severity index scores following treatment. Unfortunately, there was no improvement in the treatment group participants who did not have a vitamin deficiency.
Supplemental B-12 was found to provide some relief in several patients with severe tinnitus. Because B-12 is poorly absorbed when consumed, a suggested daily dose is 1000 mcg.
Background: Recent studies in noise-induced and idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss have suggested that magnesium supplementation may lessen both hearing loss and the severity of tinnitus in patients.
Ginkgo Biloba
Gingko biloba is the most studied dietary supplement in tinnitus treatment. It is thought to improve tinnitus symptoms by increasing the blood circulation in the inner ear and brain, as well as protecting against free radicals.
If tinnitus is especially noticeable in quiet settings, try using a white noise machine to mask the noise from tinnitus. If you don't have a white noise machine, a fan, soft music or low-volume radio static also may help. Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
Medications for Tinnitus
For some, treatment with low doses of anti-anxiety drugs -- such as Valium or antidepressants such as Elavil -- help reduce tinnitus. The use of a steroid placed into the middle ear along with an anti-anxiety medicine called alprazolam has been shown to be effective for some people.
Shatner's treatment involved wearing a small electronic device that generated a low-level, broadband sound — a white noise — that helped his brain put the tinnitus in the background.
A decrease of more than 1 point in subjective tinnitus scoring was accepted as valid. Results: Clinically favorable progress was detected in 46.4% of patients given zinc. Although this decrease was not statistically significant, the severity of subjective tinnitus decreased in 82% of the patients receiving zinc.
Iron deficiency can cause the arteries to pump harder to deliver more blood. These changes in blood flow will not go unheard by your sensitive ears. Iron deficiency can lead to pulsatile tinnitus, where those affected can hear their pulse or heartbeat in their ears.
The Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium is 420 mg for adult men and 320 mg for adult women. Some forms of magnesium are not absorbed well so a good product must be used. Magnesium Citrate and Magnesium Aspartate are both high quality products with good absorption profiles.
Unfortunately, at present there is no cure for tinnitus. There is no pill, no diet, no surgery that can cure or reduce tinnitus. Many say that they can treat tinnitus, say that they have a treatment that can cure or reduce tinnitus, but so far there is no scientifically proven treatment against tinnitus.
The inner ear contains the highest concentration of zinc of any organ. Numerous clinical studies have shown a correlation between zinc deficiency, tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) .
Antibiotics, aspirin, or other drugs may also cause ear noises. Alcohol, caffeine, or smoking may worsen tinnitus if the person already has it. Sometimes, tinnitus is a sign of high blood pressure, an allergy, or anemia. In rare cases, tinnitus is a sign of a serious problem such as a tumor or aneurysm.
Loud Noises
When you have tinnitus -- or ringing in your ears -- many things can make those sounds worse. One of the most obvious is noise. Loud sounds from things like machinery, headphones, and concerts can cause short-term ringing or permanent hearing loss. Do what you can to avoid it.
Conversely, one study found that increased intake of certain vitamins and minerals such as calcium and iron (as well as dietary fat) increased likelihood of perceiving tinnitus, which highlights the relationship between diet, tinnitus, and hearing difficulties.
Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don't get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can't work as well. Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
A lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems, which affect your nervous system, such as: vision problems. memory loss. pins and needles (paraesthesia)
Bananas also contain fibre and potassium. It helps manage blood pressure, reduce stress, and relieve constipation and ulcer problems. The fruit also helps regulate body temperature. Another fruit that is rich in vitamin B12 is blueberries.
Although we hear tinnitus in our ears, its source is really in the networks of brain cells (what scientists call neural circuits) that make sense of the sounds our ears hear. A way to think about tinnitus is that it often begins in the ear, but it continues in the brain.