Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.  2014 Dec;24(3):69-74.

Prophylactic Effect of Oral Magnesium on Noise Induced Hearing Loss

• Lim J
• Lee H
• Kim G

Abstract

Purpose
Some studies reported that the intake of magnesium reduced the audiometric threshold shift caused by noise. We started this study to see if oral intake of magnesium is effective in preventing noise induced hearing loss. Methods: Among 165 pilots who visited Korea Air Force Aerospace Medical Center for regular medical check-ups, 82 were scheduled to take 200mg/d magnesium, while 83 were to take 1,000mg/d vitamin C for a year and their audiometric threshold shifts values were measured and compared before and after the test medications. Pilots who have history of head trauma, tinnitus, and other medications were excluded. Results: Among the group having taken magnesium, 48 out of 82 successfully completed this study and were 33.2±4.5 years old on average. Among vitamin C group, 34 out of 83 successfully completed the study and were 34.3±4.2 years old. Magnesium group showed substantial decrease in audiometric threshold on each frequency level. Particularly, they showed a statistically significant decrease on 4 kHz on the right ear and on 3 kHz on the left ear. Vitamin C group showed no major changes in audiometric threshold in a year.
Conclusions
Hearing loss is difficult to cure and prevention is more important. This study showed that the intake of magnesium statistically decreased the audiometric threshold shift at the frequency of 3 and 4 kHz.

Keyword

Noise-induced hearing loss; Magnesium; Vitamin C