Relationship Between Diet and Tinnitus: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the association between nutritional intake and tinnitus prevalence by evaluating a large cross-sectional cohort.Methods Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 2013 and 2015 were analyzed. The study population consisted of 7,621 individuals aged 40 to 80 years with complete tinnitus-related data. Individuals with inadequate responses to tinnitus history, noise exposure in the work place, or subjective hearing loss were excluded. Prevalence of tinnitus and tinnitus-related annoyance, and nutrition intake were measured using this questionnaire, and associations between tinnitus and nutritional data were evaluated by binary logistic regression analysis.Results Subjective tinnitus was reported by 1,435 individuals with subjective normal hearing (18.8%). Prevalence of tinnitus increased with age. However, among individuals with tinnitus, the proportion of individuals with tinnitus-related annoyance was similar across age groups. Older age, female sex, lower body mass index (BMI), and less vitamin B2 intake were significantly associated with tinnitus (P<0.001, P=0.002, P=0.041, P=0.013, respectively). Vitamin B2 intake was significantly less in individuals with tinnitus who were middle-aged (ages 51–55 and 56–60 years, P=0.012 and P=0.020, respectively). Less intake of water, protein, and vitamin B3 were associated with tinnitus-related annoyance (P=0.038, P=0.009, and P=0.005, respectively). Prevalence of annoyance was significantly associated with less water intake in younger ages (age 45–55 years) but with less protein and vitamin B3 intake in older ages (age 66–80 years).Conclusion Reduced intake of vitamin B2 and B3, water, and protein may be associated with tinnitus and tinnitus-related annoyance, and further studies regarding the importance of adequate nutritional intake in the tinnitus management need to be performed.

Association of Chocolate Consumption with Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Middle-Aged People Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012–2013

“…However, the association between hearing loss and tinnitus may not be straightforward. For example, subjective tinnitus was reported by approximately 19% of individuals with normal hearing in a cohort study in Korea [14], suggesting that subjective tinnitus can develop in the absence of hearing loss. The persistence of tinnitus after cochlear nerve section suggests a central origin [29].…”

“…Patients and clinicians have concerns regarding the effect of diet on hearing loss and tinnitus [13,14]. Therefore, efforts to identify foods that protect hearing are needed.…”

Relationship Between Diet, Tinnitus, and Hearing Difficulties

“…With respect to micronutrients, inconsistent associations between vitamins A, B, C, and E, and magnesium, and hearing have been reported ( Houston et al 1999 ; Gok et al 2004 ; Durga et al 2007 ; Michikawa et al 2009 ; Gopinath, Flood, Rochtchina, et al 2010b ; Shargorodsky et al 2010 ; Gopinath, Flood, McMahon, et al 2011 ; Spankovich et al 2011 ; Choi et al 2014 ; Kang et al 2014 ; Curhan et al 2015 ). Besides the possibility of false-positive results described earlier, the inconsistency of single nutrient research may be attributable to differences in study design (e.g., cross-sectional versus longitudinal), hearing measures (e.g., self-reported versus audiometric), and dietary measures (e.g., questionnaire versus serum-based).…”

Do dietary factors significantly influence tinnitus?

“…There are currently only two other reports of relationships between dietary factors and tinnitus in larger populationbased studies. 10,20 In a UK cross-sectional analysis with 171,722 participants, McCormack et al observed a slight reduction in odds of persistent tinnitus with increased fish consumption (once or more per week), egg avoidance and higher intake of caffeinated coffee (refer to 'Caffeine restriction'). 10 Conversely, higher intake of fruits or vegetables and bread, and avoidance of dairy, were associated with a small increased report of persistent tinnitus.…”

“…In a recent report from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 7621), tinnitus-related annoyance was significantly associated with lower intake of water (P = 0.038) and protein (P = 0.009). 20 Some small dietary intervention trials have been shown to reduce tinnitus symptoms in patients with metabolic disorders. 9,[12][13][14][15]17 For example, Lavinsky et al evaluated the efficacy of nutritional treatment in 80 patients with associated tinnitus and hyperinsulinemia.…”