Tinnitus is a condition in which patients hear sounds such as ticks, tinnitus, or ringing bells even though there is no external source. In addition to common causes such as exposure to loud noise or hearing loss, vitamin and mineral deficiency is also thought to be related to this symptom.
According to Dr. Hamid Djalilian, an expert on tinnitus and professor of otolaryngology, neurosurgery and biomedical engineering at the University of California (USA), vitamin D is the nutrient that is recorded to have the clearest link with tinnitus. Many studies show that people with tinnitus often have lower than normal vitamin D levels, and the higher the deficiency level, the more severe the symptoms tend to be.
This expert said that vitamin D plays an important role in the functioning of the nervous system and the health of the inner ear. When the body is deficient in vitamin D, nerve transmission function and blood circulation in the ear can be affected, thereby increasing the risk of prolonged tinnitus.
In addition to vitamin D, magnesium is also considered a mineral associated with this condition. According to Dr. Djalilian, magnesium deficiency can make the auditory system more sensitive to sound, increasing tinnitus in some people. Supplementing magnesium in case of deficiency can help improve symptoms in some patients.
Another nutrient mentioned is iron. Iron deficiency anemia can reduce the amount of oxygen supplied to the inner ear, affecting hearing function and increasing the risk of tinnitus. This condition is often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, or difficulty concentrating.
Meanwhile, Dr. James J. Chao, a member of the American Society of Surgeons and a surgeon at Sharp Memorial Hospital (USA), said that vitamin B12 may also be associated with tinnitus, especially in people with prolonged deficiency. Some studies have noted that the rate of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with chronic tinnitus is quite high. However, the effectiveness of symptom improvement after vitamin B12 supplementation is not the same in all cases.
Experts note that not all cases of tinnitus originate from vitamin or mineral deficiency. This may be a sign related to ear, nose, and throat diseases, circulatory disorders, drug side effects, or auditory nerve damage. Therefore, people with prolonged tinnitus should see a doctor to determine the specific cause instead of arbitrarily supplementing with functional foods.
In addition to treatment according to medical guidelines, maintaining a diverse diet, rich in green vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, nuts and foods containing antioxidants is also considered beneficial for hearing health. Limiting exposure to loud noise, getting enough sleep and controlling stress also contributes to helping reduce tinnitus symptoms in many people.
