Hearing loss:

connections among the ears, nerves and brain. There are two types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural.

Potential causes of conductive hearing loss are:

1. Blockage of the ear canal due to buildup of ear wax, blood, or foreign body.
2. Perforation of tympanic membrane due to trauma.
3. Infection of the external or middle ear.
4. Food allergy.

Potential causes of sensorineural hearing loss are:

1. Aging. Progressive hearing loss with increasing age is known as senile hearing loss, which is called “presbycausis” in medicine.
2. Prolonged exposure to loud noises.
3. Trauma to the head or hearing system.
4. Tumors of the hearing system.
5. Medications: chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics (gentamycin, vancomycin, minocycline and erythromycins), diuretics (furosemide, and ethacrynic acid), aspirin, indomethacin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac.
6. Diabetes.
7. Low function thyroid.
8. Leukemia.
9. Meniere disease.
10. Viral infections (mumps, meals, and Zona).
11. Infection of the membrane of the brain (meningitis).

Nutritional Support:

Restricted Foods:

1. Eliminate allergenic foods.
2. Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt). They may increase the production of the ear wax.
3. Foods high in saturated fats and Trans-fat.
4. Processed and fried foods.
5. Sugars and sweets.
6. Too much salt.

Recommended Foods:

1. Foods high in fiber: whole grains, and legumes.
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Foods high in vitamin C: lime, lemon, orange, and tangerines.
4. Foods high in potassium: bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, prunes, peaches, and apricots.
5. Low GI carbohydrates: brown rice, rolled oats, sweet potatoes, and high fiber cereals.

Recommended Food Supplements:

1. Magnesium: 200 – 400 mg a day.
2. Folic Acid: 1 mg a day.
3. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day.
4. Grape Seed Extract: 50 – 100 mg a day.
5. Ginkgo Biloba: 120 – 240 mg a day.
6. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 2 – 3 grams a day.
7. Multivitamin – Multiminerals: A high potency product.