Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)
For the health condition: Hearing Loss

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) has some scientific basis for its use in supporting or treating certain types of hearing loss, though the evidence is limited and not robust. B12 deficiency has been associated with auditory nerve dysfunction and sensorineural hearing loss, particularly in older adults. A few small clinical studies and case reports have suggested that supplementation with vitamin B12 may improve hearing thresholds or slow progression in individuals with confirmed deficiency. For instance, a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" (1999) found that elderly individuals with low B12 levels were more likely to experience hearing loss. Another study ("Acta Oto-Laryngologica", 1993) saw improvement in hearing in some patients with sudden hearing loss and low B12 who received supplementation. The proposed mechanism involves the role of B12 in myelin synthesis and nerve health, which are crucial for auditory nerve function. However, large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are lacking, and the benefit appears limited to cases where deficiency is present. Routine use of vitamin B12 for hearing loss in the general population is not supported by current evidence. Its use is most justified in individuals with documented B12 deficiency and hearing impairment potentially related to neuropathy. Overall, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence, more rigorous research is needed to determine the effectiveness of vitamin B12 for hearing loss beyond deficiency states.

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