Vitamin Supplements May Protect Against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Deaf to the facts?

"Vitamin supplements can prevent hearing loss in laboratory animals, according to two new studies, bringing investigators one step closer to the development of a pill that could stave off noise-induced and perhaps even age-related hearing loss in humans.

The supplements used in the research studies are composed of antioxidants - beta carotene and vitamins C and E - and the mineral magnesium. When administered prior to exposure to loud noise, the supplements prevented both temporary and permanent hearing loss in test animals.

'What is appealing about this vitamin 'cocktail' is that previous studies in humans, including those demonstrating successful use of these supplements in protecting eye health, have shown that supplements of these particular vitamins are safe for long-term use,' said Le Prell, an associate professor in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions' department of communicative disorders."

"Safe"?

Not even close. For example, see here. There are more examples, too.

So why would these folks push this stuff?

"Miller is the co-founder of OtoMedicine, a University of Michigan spinoff company that has patented AuraQuell, the vitamin supplement formula used in the studies."

Deaf to the facts? Yes.

Deaf to ka-ching? No.