Tinnitus Zinc Deficiency Guide (Causes, Symptoms, Tests)
You often hear a constant “ringing,” “buzzing,” or “whooshing” and begin to wonder whether it is possible that an easily treatable condition such as a zinc deficiency may play a role in the cause of this symptom. You are not alone; many individuals experiencing tinnitus seek out potential causes of the condition which they can have some control over, and the potential relationship between tinnitus zinc deficiency has been a recurring theme in discussions of the condition.
When you experience tinnitus, you hear sounds that others around you cannot hear. The mineral zinc plays a small but important role in your overall health. It is used by your body for support of your immune system, hormonal balance, functioning of your brain, and the tiny hair cells in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound to the auditory nerve and ultimately to your brain.
If your body’s levels of zinc become too low, some people report a variety of different symptoms, including, but limited to, emotional or psychological changes, decreased energy levels, and/or problems with their hearing.
In this guide we will walk you through how you may develop tinnitus due to a tinnitus zinc deficiency, identify symptoms to be aware of as you investigate this possibility, explain the types of testing that you can request from your doctor, and discuss safe methods of using foods and supplements to help address zinc deficiencies.
Always keep in mind that you need to consult with your doctor when investigating tinnitus, and that while a tinnitus zinc deficiency may be a contributing factor to the development of tinnitus, it is just one possible component of a larger puzzle and not a panacea.
What Is Tinnitus Zinc Deficiency and How Are They Linked?
While Tinnitus is considered to be a “symptom” and not a “disease,” it can occur alone or with a variety of other conditions (such as hearing loss; noise-induced hearing loss; stress; TMJ issues; etc.), along with possible decreased blood flow to the ears; and low levels of zinc.
Zinc is an essential trace mineral which will not be stored within your body, therefore your body needs a constant amount of zinc obtained through food to sustain your immune system, allow nerve impulses, and protect your cells from damage. All three of these are critical to maintaining the proper functioning of the many intricate parts of your inner ear.
When individuals discuss tinnitus caused by a tinnitus zinc deficiency, they typically refer to the possibility that lower than normal levels of zinc could lead to tinnitus developing initially; worsening tinnitus; or, potentially continuing tinnitus, particularly if the individual’s hearing system is being stressed in addition to the presence of tinnitus.
What does zinc do in your ears and brain?
Zinc has an impact on your hearing system, though it does its work behind the scenes.
Zinc will help with:
- Cells that deal with stress and free radicals
- The process of how your body deals with inflammation and healing
Inside your cochlea (the snail shaped part of your inner ear), small hair cells detect the vibrations of sound. The hair cells then send those signals through the hearing nerve and into areas of your brain that interpret sounds. Hair cells need zinc to protect them from damage so they are able to communicate better through the hearing nerve.
When you have a low level of zinc in your blood, there is a possibility that your hearing nerve will not function properly and your cells could become damaged. This is where tinnitus zinc deficiency starts. It can cause your brain to take longer to differentiate between different sounds when you are experiencing stress due to age, illness or exposure to excessive noise levels.
Can low zinc really trigger or worsen tinnitus?
For decades researchers have been looking into zinc as a possible cause and/or treatment for tinnitus. The findings are varied but show promise.
Research has shown that taking zinc supplements helps many individuals with tinnitus, typically those who are older and/or have lower than average zinc levels in their system.
Conversely, some research has not indicated that zinc supplements provided much relief from tinnitus symptoms. This can seem confusing, but it makes sense. Tinnitus zinc deficiency can be an issue contributing to tinnitus for some people, but it does not contribute to tinnitus for every person.
Tinnitus can be thought of as a series of causes. These include hearing loss, stress, TMJ (jaw) issues, side effects of certain medications, and poor circulation/low blood flow issues.
Tinnitus zinc deficiency may be a link for someone who experiences some of these issues and also has other indicators of low zinc. Zinc deficiency is something you can investigate further, but not a guarantee of tinnitus or a cure for tinnitus.
Main Causes of Tinnitus Zinc Deficiency You Should Know
Before determining whether you have a tinnitus zinc deficiency, it will help to find out why you may have a lower level of zinc. Often times fixing this “root” cause of having low levels of zinc, will be much more effective than taking a supplement.
There are several common patterns which increase the risk of developing a low level of zinc and tinnitus.
Diet mistakes that can lead to low zinc and tinnitus
Zinc comes from foods in the body. When a diet is off for an extended period (months or years), a person’s zinc levels will decrease gradually.
Some people who consume a diet high in processed foods and/or rely on the same old staples for many years, are at a greater risk of experiencing a low zinc level, and potentially tinnitus.
Some examples of dietary habits which can contribute to a low zinc level and tinnitus include:
- Eating a limited amount of meat and/or fish, and not replacing it with other good plant-based sources of zinc.
- Consuming too many processed foods such as instant noodles, potato chips, frozen meals, etc.
- Skipping meals or eating too little, as well as following a cycle of losing weight rapidly through fad diets.
Examples of foods which provide good levels of zinc include oysters, beef, lamb, pumpkin seeds, legumes (beans, chick peas, lentils) and dairy products (yogurt, cheese, eggs).
If you do not eat these types of foods regularly, you may not be consuming enough to meet your daily requirements, and over time you may develop symptoms related to a zinc deficiency including tinnitus, decreased energy/mood, and weakened immune system. While food does not directly cause tinnitus, food choices influence how we handle stress and how our bodies heal.
Gut and absorption problems that block zinc
Occasionally, your body has sufficient zinc to be ingested (from foods), however your body is unable to properly utilize that zinc due to impaired absorption of zinc by your gut. This occurs in many different types of chronic medical issues.
Some examples of chronic medical issues which could lead to an inability to properly absorb zinc are:
- Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease
- Gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohns disease
- Chronic loose stools
- Surgery on the gastrointestinal tract
Acid blocking medications such as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) can interfere with zinc absorption in some individuals. In addition, excessive use of certain other drugs can also interfere with zinc absorption.
In these cases, tinnitus zinc deficiency is often much more than just a matter of what you are eating. Zinc that passes through the gastrointestinal tract is simply passing through if there is inflammation/damage to the gastrointestinal tract and that zinc will not be utilized by the body. Therefore, it is possible that tinnitus will not resolve until the gut condition is treated appropriately.
Medicines, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors that lower zinc
Medicines that you take over long periods of time can slowly drain away or otherwise affect the way your kidneys deal with your zinc levels. Examples of some medicines include:
– Diuretics, which are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or swelling.
– Certain ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors.
– Long term high dose iron supplementation.
Also a major enemy of zinc, heavy alcohol consumption damages the lining of your stomach, can cause changes to your appetite, and will increase your urine’s ability to lose zinc. Low intake and poor absorption at the same time can be caused by eating disorders and very restrictive weight reduction diets. These patterns can potentially increase the chance of developing tinnitus due to a zinc deficiency over many months or years; and may potentially make tinnitus sound louder than before or have the potential to make tinnitus harder to get rid of.
Age, hormones, and higher risk groups
Even when people consume an adequate amount of zinc from their diet, there will always be some groups that are more susceptible to running out of zinc.
These higher risk groups are:
- Older individuals as the body’s ability to absorb zinc tends to decline with age
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women as they have increased zinc needs to meet the demands of the baby and the production of breastmilk
- Vegans who follow a strict vegan diet, especially those who choose not to eat fortified products and/or fail to properly plan their meals (the vitamin B12 issue is another example of this)
- Individuals experiencing chronic illness or long term infection
In each of these higher risk categories, should tinnitus begin or worsen, it is logical to inquire of your physician to consider checking your zinc levels. While aging and hormone fluctuations may be outside of your control, testing and correcting are within your control.
General zinc deficiency symptoms that often show up with tinnitus
Not only will low zinc affect your hearing, it can also negatively impact other areas of the body as well.
Some common symptoms you may experience with low zinc include:
- Frequent illness and/or a prolonged recovery from colds
- Prolonged healing of wounds or persistent open sores.
- Dry skin, rashes or acne that don’t respond to typical treatment options for such conditions.
- Loss of hair or thinning of hair.
- Impaired sense of taste or odor.
- Reduced hunger (appetite).
- Depression, anxiety, or irritability.
- Brain fog/fatigue/ inability to focus.
- Fatigue which continues even after getting adequate rest.
If you are experiencing tinnitus along with one or two of the above symptoms, the likelihood of having zinc deficiency related to your tinnitus increases. The symptoms themselves do not confirm whether you have a zinc deficiency however; they are a good indicator to test.
How zinc deficiency can change your hearing and sound sensitivity
There are many people searching for “tinnitus zinc deficiency symptoms” since they report noticing more than just the tinnitus – their hearing seems different too.
Low zinc has been associated with some of the following symptoms:
- A growing loudness in tinnitus as you get run-down.
- A feeling of being plugged-up inside your ears and unable to hear normally.
- Increased sensitivity to typical everyday sounds such as clanging dishes or screaming children.
The tinnitus zinc deficiency can sometimes increase the volume of background noise in your brain. When your brain’s sound processing centers attempt to fill-in missing sound, you experience your tinnitus as louder.
Zinc deficiency and pulsatile tinnitus: is there a link?
You might specifically be concerned about “pulsatile tinnitus and zinc deficiency.” Pulsatile tinnitus refers to the perception of a heart-beat or whooshing sound in either or both of your ears. This sound typically occurs at the same frequency as your heartbeat.
Typically, pulsatile tinnitus is related to blood-flow issues including reduced vessel size, increased intravascular pressure, or altered vein structure around your ear. The relationship between pulsatile tinnitus and tinnitus zinc deficiency is less defined and generally considered to be weak compared to the usual ringing sensation.
However, the overlap of poor overall health, zinc deficiency, and blood-vessel problems can occur in older individuals or those with chronic illnesses. Therefore, even though your doctor will need to evaluate you immediately to rule-out serious conditions, you can discuss zinc as one component of your care plan.
How To Test for Tinnitus Zinc Deficiency (And What Your Results Mean)
You don’t need to guess whether you’re deficient in zinc. There are tests and you start with a conversation with your doctor.
Self-diagnosis or using large doses of zinc without lab-work is dangerous. You need a plan, not a guess.
Blood, urine, and other tests used to check zinc levels
The two most commonly used laboratory tests to measure levels of zinc include:
- Serum Zinc (Blood Test)
- Plasma Zinc (Blood Test)
Both serum and plasma zinc blood tests have limitations, however, they typically serve as an initial screening tool. Some health care providers will also utilize other testing methods such as:
• Copper
• Iron Studies
• Full Blood Count
These additional tests can provide more information regarding your overall health and a lower than expected level of serum/plasma zinc may indicate that you are at risk of tinnitus due to zinc deficiency.
How to read your zinc lab results with your doctor
Laboratory reports may seem difficult to decipher on your own. You are not required to interpret laboratory reports yourself.
Consult with your physician:
- Can my zinc levels be classified as low, borderline, or normal?
- Are there similarities between my symptoms and what is indicated in this level of zinc?
- Should we reassess my zinc levels in a few months (if I change my eating habits or begin supplementation)?
There are some individuals who report that they experience an improvement in their tinnitus and the manifestation of other symptoms related to a zinc deficiency after their zinc levels move from being below the normal level to within the normal range. Such a fine-tuning will always be performed under the supervision of a physician or registered dietitian. Writing your questions prior to the appointment may help you remember to ask the physician during the visit.
Safe Ways To Support Tinnitus Zinc Deficiency With Food and Supplements
Now that you know what level your zinc is at, you can now begin to create a stable, safe environment for your body to grow by using food as a base and adding supplements when necessary.
The improvement of zinc levels is only a piece of the puzzle in developing a full treatment plan for tinnitus.
Building a zinc-rich daily menu to support your ears
Do not worry about developing a perfectly nutritious diet; all that is required is small repeated changes.
You may want to consider:
• Adding fish (such as sardines or shrimp) to your meals one to two times each week
• Eating legumes (beans, lentils, or chickpeas) in soups, salads, or stews
• Snacking on pumpkin seeds, cashews, or mixed nuts
• Eating yogurt, kefir, or cheese if you are able to digest dairy products
In most cases, minor changes to your eating habits will provide the amount of zinc needed for tinnitus caused by mild zinc deficiencies. These dietary changes will provide additional nutrients to your ears and brain that will aid in hearing loss such as b vitamins and healthy fats.
Using zinc supplements for tinnitus: how much and how long?
When food does not provide sufficient amounts of zinc or your lab values show that you have a significant zinc deficiency, your doctor may recommend a zinc supplement.
Typical amounts for deficiency are between 15-30 milligrams of elemental zinc per day. Your doctor should determine the correct amount of zinc and type of zinc to use based on your age, lab test results, overall health condition(s), and any medications you currently take.
Most studies that tested zinc for tinnitus lasted only short periods of time (usually 2 to 6 months). This will give your body ample opportunity to replenish your zinc stores and allow you to note any changes in your tinnitus patterns.
It is recommended that you avoid taking excessive amounts of zinc for extended periods of time. More is not always better and high intakes of zinc can potentially cause more harm than good.
Side effects, risks, and copper balance
Excessive intake of zinc can produce negative consequences.
Some of these potential negative consequences of excessive intake of zinc include:
• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Metallic taste in your mouth
Long-term excessive intake of zinc can lower your copper levels which can potentially lead to anemia, fatigue, and neurological problems. Therefore, people with zinc deficiency tinnitus may require checking of their copper levels while taking supplements for prolonged periods of time.
If you experience severe side effects from starting a zinc supplement, please contact your doctor immediately and discontinue the supplement. Do not continue to take the supplement until your symptoms subside.
Fitting zinc into a full tinnitus care plan
While Zinc may help you address tinnitus, it should never be used in isolation. The chances of improving tinnitus by addressing it from multiple directions are much greater than trying to treat it by using just Zinc.
You may want to look into:
- Sound Therapy (masking) to reduce how distracting your tinnitus is, and stress reduction (meditation/therapy/light exercise), to decrease the frequency and intensity of tinnitus episodes,
- Sleep hygiene (early bedtimes, avoiding screens before bed), and Hearing Aids (if you experience hearing loss along with tinnitus),
- Combining all these methods can greatly improve the likelihood of experiencing relief from tinnitus. By supporting your Ears, Brain and Nervous System with Zinc and other forms of support; you will have a better opportunity to experience some form of relief from tinnitus.
Conclusion
Low levels of zinc in the body may contribute to tinnitus, which can manifest as buzzing, ringing, or hissing in your ears. The article has described ways that zinc impacts both nerve function and the inner ear; factors contributing to low levels of zinc; and the tinnitus zinc deficiency symptoms which may appear throughout other areas of your body.
While symptoms alone do not establish low levels of zinc, the best course of action is testing, communication with your physician, and wise utilization of diet and supplementation. When used wisely, zinc can be an excellent tool for supporting your ear health, but should never be considered a “cure all”.
If this appears to be part of your experience, ask your physician to test your levels, and begin a simple tinnitus tracking journal. In time, you may find yourself tinnitus zinc deficiency noticing patterns, and even some minor changes. Regardless of whether zinc is simply a piece of your overall puzzle, taking steps to explore tinnitus zinc deficiency will be a gentle, thoughtful step towards achieving better hearing health and a quieter mind.