Ringing in the Ears May Be Linked to a Vitamin D Deficiency

• Vitamin D and magnesium deficiencies are linked to tinnitus, and correcting these deficiencies may improve symptoms.
• B12 and iron deficiency may also be linked to tinnitus, but supplementation does not help everyone and is less supported by evidence.
• Eating a healthy, varied diet rich in antioxidants can help protect hearing and prevent tinnitus.

  Tinnitus is a common condition in which someone hears noise, such as buzzing or ringing, without an external source. It's often linked to loud noise exposure or hearing loss, but some research suggests it may also be linked to vitamin deficiencies. The most well-studied is vitamin D deficiency, but less strong evidence suggests that magnesium, iron, and B12 deficiencies could be at play.

  
  

  

  What Does the Research Show?

  Currently, the strongest available evidence linking tinnitus to a vitamin deficiency is focused on vitamin D,1 said Hamid Djalilian, MD, a tinnitus specialist and professor of otolaryngology, neurosurgery, and biomedical engineering at the University of California.

  "Multiple studies show that patients with tinnitus are more likely to be vitamin D deficient,2 and lower vitamin D levels correlate with worse symptom severity," he said.

  Magnesium is another important element to consider, he said. Research shows low magnesium can contribute to an overly sensitive auditory system,3 and Djalilian said correcting a deficiency can sometimes reduce tinnitus symptoms.

  Iron deficiency may also be connected. Tinnitus is a well described symptom of iron deficiency anemia,4 Djalilian explained. He said this deficiency can result in reduced oxygen delivery to the inner ear, which in turn increases the risk of hearing loss and therefore tinnitus.

  There is also some evidence to suggest that B12 deficiency is linked, said James J. Chao, MD, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and surgeon at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

  Some studies have shown that up to 40-45% of patients with chronic tinnitus had serum B12 levels below 250 pg per milliliter,5 while normal levels are 200-900.

  "Although finding consistent data is difficult, every study that addressed symptom improvement in B12 deficient patients showed some degree of improvement with B12 supplementation in small sub-group analysis," Chao said. "The verdict is that there’s definitely a link between low B12 levels and tinnitus symptoms, but it doesn’t apply to everyone."

  How Can Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Tinnitus?

  The way vitamin deficiencies affect tinnitus is mainly through their impact on the hearing system, Djalilian said. The inner ear cells are highly sensitive, so even subtle deficiencies can influence optimal hearing, and therefore, tinnitus, he explained.

  In the case of vitamin D and magnesium, he said the picture is a bit more complex. Severe tinnitus happens because of brain inflammation, chemical imbalances in the brain, and migraine-like reactions in the hearing nerves.

  "Any deficiency in vitamin D and magnesium will amplify this sensory reactivity and make the tinnitus worse, independent of hearing," he noted.

  How Can This Be Prevented or Corrected?

  Correcting vitamin D and magnesium can meaningfully improve tinnitus, but this is not the case for vitamin B12.

  "Despite the link between vitamin deficiencies and tinnitus, we do not typically order blood tests to check for levels," Djalilian said. "If someone has severe tinnitus, we typically use vitamin D and magnesium supplementation as a core intervention, regardless of if their levels are low. The reason is that we are treating the migraine-like brain reactivity that drives the tinnitus."

  For those hoping to protect their hearing health in the future, eating a healthy, varied diet is the best place to start.

  "By eating a diet rich in antioxidants or by using supplementation, we can support overall ear health, protect hearing, and prevent tinnitus," Djalilian said.

  What Else to Keep in Mind About Treating Tinnitus

  It's important to note that there are many scam supplements on the market when it comes to tinnitus, Djalilian added, so you should approach any health claims on a product with skepticism. Nearly all of the “tinnitus formulas” that are heavily marketed have no credible medical evidence behind them, he said.

  "Vitamins can play a role in tinnitus management when they’re used thoughtfully, particularly if there’s a true deficiency," he said. "But tinnitus is a complex neurological condition, and it almost never improves with supplementation alone."

  Another thing to keep in mind is that there are many causes for tinnitus, Chao added. It can be caused by noise-induced hearing loss, ototoxic medications (high-dose aspirin, certain antibiotics), TMJ disorder, cardiovascular disease, cervical spine pathology, and more.

  "The last thing you want to do is pop some vitamins and go about your day without looking deeper into possible causes," Chao said. "Actually getting checked out by a doctor should be step one."

https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-tinnitus-linked-to-vitamin-d-11955853