Study Finds Possible Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Tinnitus
- MARK WILLIAMS
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
A new study published in the medical journal Frontiers in Neurology suggests that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to a higher risk of developing subjective tinnitus. Tinnitus affects around 15 percent of the population and can seriously impact quality of life, disrupting sleep, concentration and emotional wellbeing.
Researchers compared vitamin D levels in more than 350 people with tinnitus to a similar number of people without the condition. They found that people with tinnitus were significantly more likely to have low vitamin D levels. Just over half of the tinnitus patients had a deficiency, compared with about one-third of people in the control group.
Lower vitamin D levels were also associated with more severe symptoms. Participants with the lowest levels were more likely to experience moderate to severe tinnitus and symptoms that lasted for a long time.
The researchers suggest several reasons why vitamin D deficiency may play a role. Vitamin D is involved in supporting nerve health and reducing inflammation, both of which are important for normal hearing. It also helps regulate immune responses and blood flow, including in the inner ear. When vitamin D levels are low, inflammation or impaired nerve signalling may increase the likelihood of abnormal sound perception, contributing to tinnitus.
Vitamin D receptors are present in structures of the inner ear, and previous research has linked deficiency to hearing problems and balance disorders. These findings add to growing evidence that vitamin D may be important for maintaining healthy auditory function.
The authors note that while the study does not prove that vitamin D deficiency directly causes tinnitus, it highlights a potentially modifiable risk factor. They suggest that testing for vitamin D deficiency and correcting low levels could become part of a broader approach to tinnitus management, pending further clinical research.
Please see link to original research paper below:
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