Recently, a study was conducted to see if there was a link between folate (vitamin of the B complex) and hearing loss. They found that men who had higher folate intake from foods and supplements had a 20% decrease in risk of developing hearing loss.

Dr. Shargorodsky and his colleagues believe this is the largest study to date dealing with the relation between diet and hearing loss. They used information from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study cohort from 1986-2004 conducted on a group of over 51,000 male health professionals.

However, this isn’t the first time the B vitamin has been linked to hearing loss. In 2007, scientists from Wageningen University reported that folic acid supplements delayed age-related hearing loss in the low frequencies of 728 men and women between the ages of 50 and 70.

These findings should lead a new wave into understanding the relation between vitamins and hearing loss.

What Foods Have Folate?

* Leafy Green Vegetables
* Chick Peas
* Lentils
* Asparagus
* Avocado
* Broccoli

Here’s a tasty recipe for hummus using chick peas.

Resources

American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (2009, October 6). Higher Folates, Not Antioxidants, Can Reduce Hearing Loss Risk In Men.

Yuri Agrawal; Elizabeth A. Platz; John K. Niparko. Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Differences by Demographic Characteristics Among US Adults. Arch Intern Med, 2008;168[14]:1522-1530