How to Prevent and Treat Age-Related Hearing Loss
NutritionFacts.orgPublished on September 10, 2025
Summary authored by editor@wellifi.com
TLDR Summary
Dr. Michael Greger discusses how age-related hearing loss is not inevitable and can be prevented through healthier lifestyle choices, particularly diet. Folic acid supplementation shows promise in slowing hearing decline, while high cholesterol diets can exacerbate hearing loss.
Key Points
- Age-related hearing loss affects a significant portion of older adults in the U.S.
- Hearing loss is linked to lifestyle choices rather than just aging.
- Diet plays a crucial role in preserving hearing health.
- Folic acid supplementation has been shown to slow age-related hearing loss.
- High cholesterol and saturated fat diets have negative impacts on hearing.
Preventing and Treating Age-Related Hearing Loss: Insights from Dr. Michael Greger
Hello everyone, and welcome! This is Dr. Michael Greger coming to you live from my treadmill, which I’m now turning off since we got so many complaints last time. I try to role model healthy behavior, but I don’t want to make anybody seasick.
This is another CME-approved webinar—continuing medical education for doctors and other health care professionals. I proudly declare I have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. This is necessary given a long history of big pharma subtly influencing health information.
Today, I will be discussing how to prevent and treat age-related hearing loss, a topic borrowed from the "Preserving Your Hearing" chapter of my upcoming book, How Not to Age. This information will be available for free at your local public library and on NutritionFacts.org.
Understanding Age-Related Hearing Loss
In the United States, age-related hearing loss affects about a quarter of those in their 60s, over half in their 70s, and 80% of those in their 80s. Surprisingly, over 95% of centenarians experience severe hearing loss. This can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and even increased risks of motor vehicle accidents due to impaired communication.
While age-related hearing loss is often viewed as an inevitable part of aging, similar to high blood pressure, this mindset may need to shift. Studies show that certain populations, such as the Mabaan tribe in Sudan, retain their hearing into old age. Their healthier lifestyles and diets may provide clues as to how we can prevent hearing loss.
Factors Contributing to Hearing Loss
Research indicates that the heritability of age-related hearing impairment is only about 25%. Most of the risk is attributed to non-genetic influences, including:
- Repeated exposure to loud noises
- Smoking
- Use of ototoxic medications
Additionally, constant noise exposure can make the inner ear more vulnerable to aging. Medications like aminoglycoside antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause hair cell toxicity, leading to hearing loss.
The Role of Diet in Hearing Preservation
The diet of the Mabaan tribe, which is "almost free of animal protein" and centered around whole grains, appears to play a significant role in their hearing preservation. They also experience lower rates of coronary artery disease, which may protect the small blood vessels that feed the inner ear.
Studies show that healthier diets are associated with a significantly lower risk of hearing loss, with avoidance of meat being most strongly linked to better hearing outcomes.
Antioxidants and Hearing Loss
While some studies suggest that antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, C, and alpha-lipoic acid may help prevent age-related hearing loss, randomized controlled trials have shown mixed results. One supplement, however, stands out: folic acid.
A Dutch study found that older adults taking 800 μg of folic acid daily experienced significantly less decline in hearing at speech frequencies. This suggests that folic acid may indeed have a protective effect against age-related hearing loss.
Cholesterol and Hearing Loss
A 2021 review concluded that diets rich in saturated fats and cholesterol negatively impact hearing. Laboratory studies on animals have shown that high cholesterol diets exacerbate inner ear damage. Epidemiological studies also correlate high cholesterol intake with increased hearing impairment.
Notably, the Finnish Mental Hospital Study demonstrated that reducing saturated fat intake in one hospital led to improved hearing outcomes compared to a control hospital. This further supports the idea that diet is crucial in preventing hearing loss.
Conclusion
In summary, age-related hearing loss is not an unavoidable part of aging. By adopting healthier dietary habits, avoiding ototoxic medications, and protecting ourselves from loud noises, we can significantly reduce the risk of hearing impairment as we age. The evidence suggests that a plant-based diet, rich in whole grains and low in saturated fats, can play a critical role in preserving our hearing.
Remember, prevention starts with understanding the factors that contribute to hearing loss and making informed lifestyle choices.