Nutrition and Hearing Health

A well balanced diet is fundamental to health, but seldom does one learn about the relationship between nutrition and the auditory system.

Nutrition and hearing ability are connected. Certain nutrients are associated with positive hearing health outcomes like:

• Potassium a mineral found in bananas, potatoes, and black beans — plays a large role in the way that the inner ear functions and converts sounds into signals for the brain to interpret. Regular intake can help you maintain your current level of hearing.

• Zinc in almonds, cashews, and dark chocolate can be an effective treatment for tinnitus, hearing ringing or buzzing without an external sound source.

• Magnesium is believed to combat free radicals emitted during loud noises and act as a barrier protecting inner ear hair cells.

• Folic acid has also been shown to possibly slow the onset of hearing loss. Blood flow is restricted by homocysteine (an amino acid), so folic acid works to metabolize it to keep blow flow regulated.