Balanced diet can prevent hearing loss

Every time you hit the dance floor to the sound of loud music, you may risk losing your capacity to hear. But those with a substandard diet could be more vulnerable.

"People with healthy diets who eat adequate fruit and vegetables, have better hearing thresholds than people with a poor diet, according to large population databases," Colleen Le Prell, professor at Florida University, was quoted as saying.

Studies on animals have shown that dietary supplements such as vitamins A, C, E and magnesium can prevent hearing loss by reducing inflammation and swelling and increasing the blood supply to the inner ear.

Results are now expected next month of two recent clinical trials in humans that have studied whether dietary supplements and a new drug can protect hearing after exposure to a loud noise.

This may mean we will be able to protect our ears by popping a vitamin pill before going out clubbing, The Guardian reported.

However, experts warned that however effective a pill turns out to be, noise avoidance is the best strategy to prevent hearing loss.