@julie04 @kittyrushing I found this literature that discusses the role of antioxidants and prevention of hearing loss. It talks about oxidative stress (which happens with aging as our bodies "rust") and the role it plays in causing hearing loss and tinnitus. One of the master antioxidants in the body is glutathione that is used for detoxification. The precursor to that is NAC (N- Acetyl L Cysteine) which will be converted to glutathione. NAC is available as a supplement. The literature discusses other antioxidants as well.

The inner ear has "hair cells" that are actually nerve endings bathed in fluid that receive sound waves and convert them to nerve impulses for hearing. These hair cells are easily damaged or destroyed which causes hearing loss. Loud noises acutally fracture them, and drugs can cause inflammation that damages them. Allergies also increase fluid pressure in the ear and can amplify tinnitus sounds.

Here are some links to literature.

Here is another link that discusses Aminoglycoside antibiotics that are known to cause cause hearing loss and discusses protective effects of antioxidants and NAC. Read the section 4.2. Neutralization of Reactive Oxygen Species. It also discusses hearing loss related to formation of compounds with iron and chelation to remove the iron. That caught my attention since my doctor told me my iron levels are too high in my blood.

"Mechanisms of Aminoglycoside Ototoxicity and Targets of Hair Cell Protection"
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijoto/2011/937861/

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