 Sudden
hearing loss (SHL) can be characterized as a dramatic and stressful
disease.
While the cause of SHL can be identified in only 10 to 15 percent
of people, the majority of victims cannot trace the origin and are
often diagnosed with idiopathic sudden hearing loss.
Some Possible Causes of SHL:
- Bacterial and viral infectious diseases
- Circulatory disorders
- Traumatic injuries
- Immunologic, toxic, neoplastic, metabolic, and neurologic sources
Two-thirds of patients with sudden hearing loss recover within
days. The other third, those who do not begin recovery after two
weeks, will most likely lose their hearing forever.
Researchers discovered that vitamin E might aid in the prevention
and restoration of hearing loss. They also found it protected delicate
components of cells in the body from free radicals or toxic by-products.
These by-products are caused by pollution in the environment such
as include cigarette smoke, heavy metal, ozone and ionizing radiation.
Vitamin E has been proposed as an effective form of treatment for
improving recovery of hearing loss. This vitamin also plays an important
part as the protector of the body, as it is the body's main antioxidant.
There are a number of additional neurological
functions vitamin E has been known to serve including:
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
- Reduction of cancer
- Helps improve functioning of the immune system
A study was conducted on 66 patients who were being treated for
SHL. The subjects were divided into two groups. The first group,
the control group, was given a magnesium and steroid treatment,
while the second group was given the same treatment, but with one
difference -- they also received 400mg of vitamin E twice a day.
Researchers discovered a significant difference between the two
groups.
There was a 75 percent hearing recovery in 80 percent of the patients
who received the vitamin E treatment, compared to a 45 percent recovery
rate in the control group.
Israel
21C News September 26, 2004
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