The World Health Organization tells us that 430 million people worldwide suffer from disabling hearing loss. The number is on course to grow in the next decade. Hearing loss is a natural progression of aging, but it happens in just a few days for some people.
Hearing loss has many causes, but eating a Western diet may be connected with a higher risk of sudden hearing loss.
Western diet and hearing loss
One study, Japanese and Western diet and risk of idiopathic sudden deafness: a case-control study using pooled controls, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology identified a Western diet as a probable risk factor for sudden hearing loss.
As you know, Western diets favor high intakes of pre-packaged foods, refined grains, red meat, sugary goods, and high-fat dietary products.
Survey says?
To uncover the relationship of diet to sudden hearing loss, the researchers surveyed the food intake of 164 participants from a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire.
Conducted in Japan, the survey asked participants about how much they ate from a list of 25 foods. Then, researchers classified participants by the amount of Western versus Japanese food consumed.
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The results revealed an increased risk of sudden deafness for participants who frequently consumed Western foods.
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Conversely, the risk of sudden deafness was low in participants who frequently consumed Japanese foods.
This study suggests that a largely Western diet might be a risk factor for idiopathic sudden deafness, a traditional Japanese diet might be a preventive factor for this condition, or both. —Journal of Epidemiology
The vascular hypothesis is plausible because the cochlea is a highly vascularized organ supplied by a single artery. This hypothesis has also been used to explain how diabetes harms hearing.
Hearing loss, all at once or over several days
Sudden deafness, also known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss, usually occurs all at once or over several days. People who experience sudden deafness often discover their symptoms when they wake up in the morning.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders recognizes various risk factors for sudden hearing loss but notes that only 10% of cases have a known cause.
Infections, head trauma, and some autoimmune diseases increase the chances of sudden hearing loss.
Nutrition and hearing
The Hearing Health Foundation claims several nutrients help protect you from hearing loss, including potassium and Omega-3 fatty acids.
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Potassium, found in bananas, potatoes, and black beans, helps the inner ear function properly.
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Omega-3 fatty acids may help slow age-related hearing loss. You’ll find Omega-3s in walnuts, flax and chia seeds, fortified eggs, fortified milk, oysters, and salmon.
If you'd like to talk with an audiologist about your hearing or schedule a free hearing screening performed by an audiologist, call our Crest Hill or Palos Hills office.
Crest Hill: 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills: 708-599-9500
