Vitamin D For Tinnitus: 7 Ways It May Calm Your Ears

At night you can hear a soft, repeating ring in your ear when everything is quiet. You dismiss it at first but it continues to show up, just a little bit, and almost seems like an alarm you never set. You go on the internet, read others’ experiences and start to see vitamin D for tinnitus, listed as a possible simple solution you could do at home.

Tinnitus is hearing a sound that no one else hears or knows about. Tinnitus can be frightening, very distracting and isolating. Therefore, many individuals are looking for non-prescription solutions prior to using heavy prescription medications, which is why many individuals examine vitamins such as vitamin D for tinnitus, as well as their sleep patterns and stress management.

Vitamin D has been described as a hormone-like vitamin that helps to support bone health, mood and the immune system. In this article, I have outlined 7 additional methods by which vitamin D for tinnitus might be able to provide relief, along with the current research related to each method, recommended dosages and safety procedures to discuss with your physician. Vitamin D for tinnitus is not a “magic pill” however it may be beneficial to those who use it as a component of a full, consistent treatment plan.

How Vitamin D For Tinnitus Fits Into The Bigger Picture Of Ear Health

The Ears and the Brain – A System That Works Together. Sound enters the ear, moves the tiny bones in the middle ear and then to the cochlea inside the inner ear. The cochlea converts these vibrations into electrical signals that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. If there is stress anywhere in this pathway, tinnitus may occur.

Vitamin D is produced by your skin when exposed to sunlight. It can also be obtained through food or dietary supplements. Vitamin D is important for brain function, nerve health, immune system regulation and mood. Therefore, many people believe that vitamin D is helpful for tinnitus; since all of the aforementioned body systems affect hearing and processing of sound.

Can low vitamin D levels contribute to tinnitus?

Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of tinnitus in some research studies; however, vitamin D is not the only reason for developing tinnitus. Can vitamin D help alleviate ringing in the ears? Some individuals may experience relief from their tinnitus symptoms due to improving deficiencies and promoting general health. There is much more research needed on vitamin D and tinnitus; however, preliminary research indicates that vitamin D may be a useful component in treating tinnitus.

What Tinnitus Really Is And Why It Happens

The sounds heard by individuals with Tinnitus are typically not heard by others. The sounds they hear in their ears or head, as well as perceived sounds, such as ringing, buzzing, hissing, ticking or roaring may be very loud or soft (such as a high pitch) or even low hums.

Typical reasons for Tinnitus include:

• Loud noise exposure
• Build up of Ear Wax
• Hearing Loss from Aging
• Side Effects from Certain Medications
• High Levels of Stress and Poor Sleep
• Low levels of certain Vitamins

Since nerve cells in the inner ear have been damaged, the brain will then fill-in the missing information with its own sounds. As nerve signals become jumbled, the ringing continues to occur without any real external sound being present. One reason why Vitamin D may help with Tinnitus in some cases is because it aids in the health of both the brain and nerve cells.

Why Doctors Are Looking At Vitamin D For Tinnitus

Newer research has also found that many individuals who experience tinnitus have significantly lower Vitamin D levels than those individuals who do not suffer from tinnitus. While this is in no way definitive proof that a Vitamin D deficiency will result in the onset of tinnitus, it raises another significant question. Since this appears to be the case, doctors now wonder if low Vitamin D could exacerbate the effects of tinnitus or hinder recovery.

In a nutshell, Vitamin D can assist with tinnitus through:

• Protecting Nerve Cells
• Reducing Chronic Inflammation
• Improving Stable Sleep Patterns

Large, high-quality studies are still needed. For now, most experts see vitamin D for tinnitus as a helper that supports the body, not as a stand-alone cure.

7 Powerful Ways Vitamin D For Tinnitus May Calm Your Ears

A large number of high quality studies are still necessary before Vitamin D for tinnitus will be proven as beneficial to tinnitus sufferers. At this time, most professionals view Vitamin D as supportive of the overall health of tinnitus patients, not a standalone solution to curing tinnitus.

1. Vitamin D May Protect The Nerves That Control Hearing

When you experience ringing, it is because of the damaged cells in the area of the inner ear that transmit electrical signals to your brain; if this damage occurs, your brain may increase the volume on those signals and thus you hear more ringing.

The Vitamin D, helps the growth, repair and operation of nerve cells. While Vitamin D for tinnitus may not be able to restore these cells, over time, it may protect them from further damage. This protection may result in reducing the “volume turned up” by your brain as an attempt to compensate for the damage in some cases.

2. Vitamin D May Lower Inflammation Linked To Ear Ringing

The inflammation in your body is similar to an “alarm” system of fire that warns you of potential threats. Over time, when the fire continues to go off, it could cause irritation to your nerves, as well as blood vessels surrounding your ears.

A good balance of your immune system depends on vitamin D. Some people wonder if there is a relationship between low vitamin D (a deficiency) and tinnitus; in other words, “can a vitamin D deficiency cause tinnitus.” There has been some research that indicates vitamin D deficiencies are associated with increased inflammation. Therefore, by addressing the underlying vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D for tinnitus could potentially reduce the “internal fire” or irritation, which is what is feeding your ringing sensation.

3. Vitamin D Supports Strong Bones In Your Ear

You may not hear sounds as well if the three tiny bones in your middle ear lose their strength. This loss of bone strength means that sound waves are not moving as well through the middle ear into the inner ear. As a result, you may experience more ringing and unusual sounds because your brain is trying to make sense of what it hears (the tinnitus).

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium by the body which promotes bone strength. Having adequate vitamin D over time can promote stronger bones within the ear area, therefore allowing for better communication between the middle and inner ear.

4. Vitamin D May Improve Mood And Stress That Worsen Tinnitus

When we’re stressed, anxious, or in a low mood, our brains focus more intensely on the tinnitus. This is why low vitamin D has been associated with depression and anxiety; correcting a deficiency in vitamin D can help stabilize an individual’s mood and provide them with calmer thoughts. Many individuals who are curious about “does vitamin D help with ringing in the ears” report that their mood stabilizing has provided them with less distressing tinnitus symptoms.

5. Vitamin D May Help You Sleep Better So Your Brain Copes With Tinnitus

Poor sleep quality is common among individuals experiencing tinnitus and the effects of poor sleep quality the next day make the tinnitus seem much harsher than before.

Adequate vitamin D can promote regular sleep cycles and improve the quality of sleep; therefore, using vitamin D for tinnitus can aid in providing your brain with the ability to manage tinnitus symptoms in a calmer manner due to better sleep.

6. Vitamin D May Support Healthy Blood Flow To The Ears

The ears and hearing nerves require constant blood flow for proper delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Certain forms of tinnitus are associated with blood vessel changes or high/low blood pressure.

Vitamin D can promote flexibility of blood vessels and lower blood pressure in some individuals. Using vitamin D for tinnitus may provide additional benefits to the circulatory system related to promoting better communication between the ears and the brain.

7. Vitamin D Might Help Other Tinnitus Treatments Work Better

Vitamin D has multiple systemic functions; if you have a significant deficiency, the effectiveness of other treatments may be diminished.

Many treatments for tinnitus (i.e., sound therapy, hearing aids, counseling, etc.) are used in combination to treat tinnitus symptoms. Correcting a deficiency with vitamin D for tinnitus may allow for better results from these treatments because the body is now able to function properly again. The best results are achieved when vitamin D is used as one component of a comprehensive tinnitus treatment plan rather than the sole treatment option.

Vitamin D Dosage For Tinnitus: How Much Is Safe And Helpful?

A vitamin d dosage for tinnitus can vary depending on several factors including your blood test results, your overall health and medicine use. While this article provides general information regarding vitamin d for tinnitus, it does not provide personalized medical advice. In addition, taking too much vitamin d can be dangerous and simply having more vitamin d for tinnitus doesn’t automatically mean you’ll experience relief.

How To Check If You Have Low Vitamin D

You can check if you have low levels of vitamin d through a blood test called 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D. The blood test will show your level of vitamin d, and your results typically fall into one of three categories; deficient (low), insufficient (a little low) or sufficient (healthy).

If you’re wondering “can vitamin d deficiency cause tinnitus,” testing is the next logical step. Testing can provide you with a definitive answer to whether you have a deficiency. If you have a confirmed deficiency, using vitamin d for tinnitus is a more viable option. You can monitor both your vitamin d levels and tinnitus symptom(s) through additional blood tests after starting treatment.

Safe Vitamin D Dosage For Tinnitus Relief

There are various vitamin d dosages that are commonly recommended for general adults ranging from 600 to 2000 IU per day. However, some individuals who have extremely low vitamin d levels may require a larger dose for a limited time under direct supervision from their doctor.

An ideal vitamin d dosage for tinnitus should be determined based on:

• • The results of your blood test
• • Any medical conditions and/or medications
• • Your age and weight
• • How much vitamin d you receive from sun exposure and/or vitamin d rich foods

While food and sunlight will always assist in increasing your levels of vitamin d, there are many cases where a supplement is needed. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider vitamin d for tinnitus as a long term, gradual support rather than a quick solution.

How To Safely Add Vitamin D For Tinnitus Into Your Daily Routine

When incorporating vitamin d for tinnitus into your daily routine, it is essential to create a structured approach that focuses on safety, then gradual action.

Firstly, consult with your doctor or audiologist. They will be able to administer a vitamin d blood test to determine your current vitamin d level. Once your level has been confirmed as being low, your doctor and/or audiologist will discuss a suitable dose and a reasonable timeframe to retest. Throughout the duration of your treatment, maintain a weekly log of your sleep quality, mood, and loudness of your tinnitus symptoms.

Best Food And Sunlight Sources Of Vitamin D

Some helpful food sources of vitamin d include:

• Fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines
• Egg yolk
• Milk and/or plant milk fortified with vitamin d
• Cereals fortified with vitamin d

Time spent in the sun can also increase your body’s production of vitamin d, particularly during mid-day hours. If you have light-sensitive skin or have experienced skin cancer, please consult with your doctor regarding safe sun exposure limits. Maintaining these habits in conjunction with a supplement can naturally aid in the treatment of vitamin d for tinnitus.

When Supplements Make Sense For Tinnitus

Vitamin D supplements may be beneficial for managing tinnitus in the following circumstances:

• You reside in an area that experiences prolonged winter months
• You possess dark skin
• You spend minimal amounts of time outdoors
• You already have low blood levels

Typically, vitamin D3 in a simple soft gel or liquid from a reputable manufacturer is used as a supplement. After consulting with your doctor to determine the appropriate vitamin d dosage for tinnitus, take it at the same time every day, preferably with food. Document any positive or negative effects on your ears, mood, energy, and sleep in a small notebook.

Pair Vitamin D With Other Proven Tinnitus Strategies

Using vitamin d for tinnitus is best accomplished in conjunction with other methods known to alleviate tinnitus symptoms. A simple approach could include:

• Using sound therapy or white noise at night to mask the tinnitus
• Conducting regular hearing evaluations
• Engaging in gentle physical activity and deep breathing techniques
• Developing a calming pre-bedtime routine
• Seeking support from an audiologist and/or a tinnitus coach

In this model, vitamin d for tinnitus serves as a foundation upon which you apply other strategies to teach your brain to respond to the tinnitus in a different manner. Gradual implementation of small daily habits and consistent application over a period of weeks and months provides you with the greatest opportunity to achieve success with managing your tinnitus.

Conclusion

Tinnitus can seem like a persistent alarm, however, you have alternatives to addressing the issue. Many individuals with low levels of vitamin d benefit from the use of vitamin d for tinnitus. Benefits include the potential to reduce nerve damage, reduce inflammation, strengthen bones, enhance your mood and sleep quality, and potentially improve the efficacy of other treatments. Vitamin d for tinnitus is not a cure-all, however, fixing a confirmed deficiency is a relatively easy step to start.

The most important step is to obtain a vitamin d blood test and to speak with your doctor regarding an optimal vitamin d dosage for tinnitus that is tailored to your lifestyle. Create a comprehensive plan for your tinnitus management program utilizing tools such as sound therapy, stress management techniques, and developing healthy routines. You don’t have to suffer alone with your tinnitus, and through incremental steps with tools like vitamin d for tinnitus, you may be able to regain a greater sense of control over the noise over time.