Vitamin E and Aspirin May Protect Against Hearing Loss

Antioxidant research is currently a very hot research area. It is being investigated for a wide variety of medical conditions and to improve overall health and longevity.  One exciting area of investigation is the use of antioxidants to prevent hearing loss.

Results of an animal study conducted in 2005, showed that Vitamin E and  salicylate (aspirin) could be effective in reducing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This was true even if the treatment was administered as much as three days past noise exposure.

Recent research seems to implicate free radicals as an important factor in NIHL. These free-radicals are formed when the ear is exposure to high noise levels.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E, can actually scavenge free radicals and prevent the damage they would have caused to the inner ear. By preventing or minimizing this damage, more of the hearing is preserved.

Since animals which had the treatment before exposure showed the most benefit, it would seem that maintaining a sufficient level of vitamin E in the body during times of high noise exposure, would probably prove helpful. Although aspirin is presently used as a preventative for people with certain heart conditions, it should be used with caution.  Aspirin has its own potential risks and side effects, which should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Hopefully more clinical research will be done which can help us to understand how humans might best use aspirin in relation to hearing protection.

Research is continuing, especially to reduce hearing loss in military personnel.  I look forward to future studies which will determine optimal doses and types of antioxidant therapy.
For now, eating fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants can be a good step, as well as a daily multi-vitamin which contains vitamin E and other beneficial antioxidants.

A tip for those who just can't seem to get their fruits and vegetables in:  fresh-made fruit and vegetable juices.  You can make good-tasting combinations which are full of antioxidants and you can take them on the go.
I will talk more about fresh juices in a future post.



The original study:

Yamashita D, Jiang HY, Le Prell CG, Schacht J, Miller JM, Post-exposure Treatment Attenuates Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Neuroscience 134: 633-642, 2005

Welcome to the blog

Hello Everyone,
My name is Steve Cuddy and I am a certified audiologist here in Fort Mill, SC. I love teaching and I am eager to share lots of cool information on hearing, hearing loss, and how hearing affects learning and other brain functioning. 

We will also discuss the latest digital hearing aid technology and how sound and music are being used therapeutically to aid learning, concentration, and even with helping children to reach their developmental milestones.  I also welcome your questions and topic suggestions.

I hope you will check back often and learn more about our amazing world of sound and hearing!