Research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA found a protective effect for the B vitamin folate (folic acid) against the development of hearing loss in older men.

The research was based on the 1986 enrollment in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. In this study, 26,273 male health professionals who were 40-75 years upon enrollment, completed follow-up dietary questionnaires every two years. The questionnaires were analyzed for intake levels of several vitamins, including folate, and related hearing loss diagnosed since the beginning of the study. The investigation is the first large study to prospectively examine the relation between diet and hearing loss.

The study found that men over 60 whose intake of folate from food and supplements was among the highest 20% of participants had a 21% reduction in the risk of developing hearing loss compared to those in the lowest fifth.

Lead researcher Joseph Shargorodsky, MD, states, “A possible explanation for the impact of age on the relation between folate intake and hearing loss is the increased prevalence of folate malabsorption and folate depletion in the older age group. Higher folic acid intake may be necessary to meet the optimal folate needs in this age group.”

Folic acid is found in Arches Tinnitus B-12 Formula.

Barry Keate