Evidence supporting the use of: Ginkgo biloba
For the health condition: Hearing Loss

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ginkgo biloba has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in China, where it has been used for centuries to treat a range of conditions, including issues related to cognitive function, circulation, and hearing. The traditional rationale for using Ginkgo biloba in hearing loss is based on its purported ability to improve blood flow, including to the inner ear and auditory nerve, which are critical for normal hearing function. In traditional practice, it has been especially recommended for sudden hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

From a scientific standpoint, the evidence supporting Ginkgo biloba’s effectiveness in treating hearing loss is limited and mixed. Some small clinical studies have suggested that Ginkgo biloba extracts may provide modest benefits for sudden sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, possibly due to their vasodilatory and antioxidant effects. However, larger and more rigorous randomized controlled trials have generally failed to demonstrate significant or consistent benefits compared to placebo. Major reviews and meta-analyses conclude that while Ginkgo biloba is safe for most people, its effectiveness for hearing loss is unproven and not well supported by high-quality evidence.

In summary, while the use of Ginkgo biloba for hearing loss is rooted in tradition and supported by some low-to-moderate quality studies, there is insufficient scientific evidence to confidently recommend it for this purpose.

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