title: Dietary vitamin intake correlates with hearing thresholds in the older population: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous animal studies have shown that vitamins may prevent age-related hearing loss. However, no concrete conclusions have been reached about the association between vitamin intake and presbycusis in humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the association between dietary vitamin intake and hearing thresholds in adults between 50 and 80 y of age by using data from a large population-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A pure-tone audiogram and physical examination of the ear were performed, and vitamin intake was calculated by using the 24-h recall method. Data from 1910 participants were analyzed through univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, and exposure to occupational and explosive noise, intake of vitamin C correlated with better hearing at midfrequency (2000 and 3000 Hz) (coefficient: -0.012; 95% CI: -0.022, -0.002). Dietary supplement use was positively associated with better hearing at all frequencies. The univariate analysis indicated that dietary intakes of retinol, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C were positively correlated with better hearing at most frequencies. In contrast, serum concentrations of vitamin D were associated with worse hearing at mid and high (4000 and 6000 Hz) frequencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary intake of vitamin C was associated with better hearing in the older population. Because less than one-half of elderly participants in this study consumed a sufficient amount of vitamins, and vitamin intake decreased with age, we should consider proper diet counseling to prevent hearing decline.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (JWK and JYC); the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (HSC); and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (KK).
authors.forename: Ju Wan
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (JWK and JYC); the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (HSC); and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (KK).
authors.forename: Hyun Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (JWK and JYC); the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (HSC); and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (KK).
authors.forename: Kyubo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (JWK and JYC); the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (HSC); and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (KK).
authors.forename: Jae Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014807:Vitamin D; D009525:Niacin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D012256:Riboflavin